Russia as an idea of 'nation' was conceived in Kiev.
Kiev is symbolic of Russia,
and yet its own place.
But this is becoming a world less of 'national' borders, something that Russia has understood since Kiev. (and China for much longer)
A future of inwardly looking regions seems the inevitable course.
the Ukraine is a vital area to a whole region of people and potential, the region of Russia,
it should have been of pride that such a region could provide so much, so far, for so many
and as the wheel turns the Ukrainians become different from the Russians, but for the tides of humanity and seas that never passed
whichever way you look at the present the Ukraine area ends up in the hands of NATO or Russia, or both
either at the behest of the west and its 'markets', or for the necessity of 'russia'.
it is not fair to ask the Ukrainians to choose.
The area of the Ukraine is more than a nation.
There are going to be crop failures in all parts of the world. Ukraine is vital to the food security of all Russia.
In such times it is not good for markets (US dominant) to be dictating
Here is an interesting clip of Putin talking about what is really going on with the European gas market pricing.
In response to the accusation of Gazprom (Russia) influencing and benefitting from gas prices as the gas prices in Europe set record highs.
Putin:
- Gazprom fulfils all contracts orders
- it further supplied an extra 12per cent; and 20 per cent if you don't include immediate neighbors
- as well as increasing supplies to Europe as well
- in my opinion this is the only country, global company that behaves likes this (increasing supply of long term contracts of natural gas to other regions)
- the US withdrew considerable supplies from Europe, 14m tonnes LNG, they took their gas to markets that would pay more (Europe no longer the premium payer)
- this with bad weather and a cold spring, low storage supply, regen failure and stockpiling brought up the prices.
- now some western operators are storing their gas in underground facilities in the Ukraine
- they're withdrawing it and using it in their own countries - stored gas is much cheaper than market gas
- we've been saying there's no point in destroying long term contracts, while the EU has been telling us to move to market relations, the market will set it right.
- the market is how we ended up with 2000 per thousand cubic meter
- we are the only ones increasing our supply on contracts (at a time when others are either storing or selling to premium or in shortages).
- they end up having trouble meeting their long term contracts (by exploiting their market, and when Russia make up the supply for them Russia is rorting the system?)
> he goes on to say we supply to countries like German at long term contract prices and then they sell that gas at spot prices to Poland
now you might go so what that's the market
what Putin's trying to say is no,no,no,no its our gas you are relying on, the market bit benefits who? - NATO countries
And now NATO is going to influence the gas pricing further through Ukraine by taking away something Russia relies on.
NATO - not only will we do everything possible to make sure we don't rely on you (fair enough) by taking away what you rely on; we'll get to exploit you as well in that vulnerability
in the battle for the supremacy of market over place and people
NATO never meant Russia to benefit from perestroika
Russia responsibility may not be best represented in Putin, but the responsibility is there nonetheless.
To do what NATO is doing by threatening this source of strength for Russia is wrong and it forces Putin's and more so Russia's hand in claiming back the territory.
xxx