Russia's supposed energy extortion of Ukraine and others

Jellric

I am sure many of you recall how it was reported that Russia recently threatened to cut off the NG of Ukraine to pressure them to bow to the will of Putin's Russia. I have since seen an opposing viewpoint.

Here it is:

"Russia has been supplying countries such as Ukraine and Belarus with heavily subsidized gas prices. Ukrainian households had been paying even less than Russian households for gas. Russia wanted to bring them up to market costs.

Ukraine was opposed and threatened to steal gas from Russia that was passing through its pipes on the way to supply Europe.

At that point Gazprom threatened to cut off Ukranian oil supplies if a price dispute was not settled by a certain date. The dispute ended when the price was setteled on, tho Ukraine still pays less than other countries.

Belarus failed to honor a agreement between themselves and Russia, ended up costing Russia billions each year, so Russia put an oil export toll on Belarus - who was still paying only a third of other coutries for oil. Belarus began siphoning Russian gas through a pipeline which feeds several other countries. Russia cut off the gas.

Concerning Georgia, during the winter, some explosions took down Russian supply capabilities of gas to Georgia. I don't think Russia blew up its own gas and electricity lines."

It this how it really went down?

I am having to give a report and unless someone objects this is how I will report it.

Jellric

Okay..45 views and no contrary opinions.

Evidently my initial suspicions were incorrect.

There was no extortion attempt here- it was the bias of western media giving the impression of such.

That is not what I was expecting to find, but what I am forced to go with.

Jack · Dark Lord Joined: Aug 11, 2004 Posts: 5123

The MSM? Surely you jest!

Keep in mind, if Russia was charging rates that were too far above market price, the customers would have had incentive to try something else. Notice they didn't - they merely whined.
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Dieoff. Fun to watch. Better with hot buttered popcorn! new_popcornsmiley

Jellric

Ok, I have found a wikipedia article which summarizes the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute. Here is a link if anyone is interested:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia-Ukraine_gas_dispute