02-27-2022, 09:11 PM
(02-27-2022, 05:52 PM)ABNARTY Wrote: IMHO, oil is not the main reason but an important one in a host of considerations made by Putin.
Without Ukraine charging big tariffs, the Russian state keeps a lot more money. Without Ukraine developing their own oil production infrastructure (read: western companies staffed by powerful elites children) Russian keeps the funds flowing. If Russia gets a hold of those NG and oil deposits, they further their own hold on the production/market. With a strong share of the EU gas market, they have leverage in international affairs.
I agree Putin has dreams of a renewed Russian empire. One can attribute that to perceived safety from invasion or simply more power/control.
The two are not exclusive. They work together. Look at Belarus.
I am not cheerleading for Putin, just making observations from the data presented.
I feel bad for the people of Ukraine. They were turned into the focus of this mess by certain portions of the US and EU who will leave them high and dry to face the Russians alone.
some times, with "friends" like the US and EU talking up a war, one does not need any additional enemies.
It's almost like we are back in the Cold War days of proxy wars, and Ukraine is just the latest proxy, the latest pawn on the chessboard.
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Diogenes was eating bread and lentils for supper. He was seen by the philosopher Aristippus, who lived comfortably by flattering the king.
Said Aristippus, ‘If you would learn to be subservient to the king you would not have to live on lentils.’ Said Diogenes, ‘Learn to live on lentils and you will not have to be subservient to the king.’
Said Aristippus, ‘If you would learn to be subservient to the king you would not have to live on lentils.’ Said Diogenes, ‘Learn to live on lentils and you will not have to be subservient to the king.’