I'm sure many of you remember the whole Ukraine fiasco. Russia cut off gas to Ukraine because they refused to pay for oil at market prices. The point being, all of the world buys oil at market prices, while Ukraine and many of other former Soviet repubics have been given a generous discount in regards to oil and other natural resources; these republics were paying much less money than they had to.
With the advent of the "orange" revolution, Ukraine moved away from Russian sphere of influence, flaunting and taunting Russia all the way. They have no more loyalty to Russia and are somewhat openly hostile to the Russian government in political affairs. Russia stopped allowing the Ukranians play it both ways - being hostile to Russia while enjoying the benefits of cheap oil and gas. Had the Ukraine agreed to pay market prices for oil this whole fiasco would have been averted, yet they chose not to.
That being said, the American press and more notably, the European Press has demonized Russia and made it appear that Russia is a big bad bully taking away the oil that Ukraine needs to survive and punishing them for leaving their sphere of influence. They are now demanding that Russia goes back to selling the gas at cheap prices, which has forced Putin to issue a statement at the G8:
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article1164579.ece
""The hysteria that was whipped up by many European and North American media was an attempt to pressure Russia not the Ukraine," he argued. Mr Putin alleged it was ironic that Russia had been made to look like the villain since it had merely decided to apply market principles long cherished in the West."
The question is: What right do the Europeans have to pressure Russia to sell their oil for cheap prices, when they are adhering to the markets? And why has Russia been demonized when it's not even their fault?
With the advent of the "orange" revolution, Ukraine moved away from Russian sphere of influence, flaunting and taunting Russia all the way. They have no more loyalty to Russia and are somewhat openly hostile to the Russian government in political affairs. Russia stopped allowing the Ukranians play it both ways - being hostile to Russia while enjoying the benefits of cheap oil and gas. Had the Ukraine agreed to pay market prices for oil this whole fiasco would have been averted, yet they chose not to.
That being said, the American press and more notably, the European Press has demonized Russia and made it appear that Russia is a big bad bully taking away the oil that Ukraine needs to survive and punishing them for leaving their sphere of influence. They are now demanding that Russia goes back to selling the gas at cheap prices, which has forced Putin to issue a statement at the G8:
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article1164579.ece
""The hysteria that was whipped up by many European and North American media was an attempt to pressure Russia not the Ukraine," he argued. Mr Putin alleged it was ironic that Russia had been made to look like the villain since it had merely decided to apply market principles long cherished in the West."
The question is: What right do the Europeans have to pressure Russia to sell their oil for cheap prices, when they are adhering to the markets? And why has Russia been demonized when it's not even their fault?
