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But yes, even so, Russia does not have to subsidize Ukraine.

But tell me, what message does this send to the rest of the world: Prices are suddenly hiked for a country that held a democratic election in which a toady of the Kremlin was defeated but are kept at a quarter of the market price for Belarus, ruled by an unpleasant dictator who sucks up to Putin.

Petty, vindictive and hypocritical.==

Vindictive? I'd say yes. Hypocritical- no.

The Belorus nation is friends. So Russia wants to help friends.

US budget finances Israel for 3 bln dollars each year. WHY I'd ask? Because israelis are friends and allies of USA on Middle East. I understand it.
But sameway you understand that Russia wants to help friends and allies from Belorus.

Imagine for minute if Israel betrayed USA suddently. To turn back on american interests. What did you do? I know you will punish Israel for that. Vindictively. Will use any
possibility in your disposal. But first of all you will cut the subcidy of 3 blns of dollars.

Same case with Ukraine today. Russia wants to punish her for betrayal. SO first thing she hits her pocket by taking away about 4+ blns of US dollars income of subsidized gas prices.

1. Israel holds democratic elections on a regular basis. Belarus is the last dictatorship in Europe.

2. How does the fact that Ukraine holds a democratic election in which the Kremlin-backed candidate loses constitute a betrayal of Russia?

Russia wants to punish countries that exercise democratic choice and reward some of the world's most repressive regimes. How do you justify Putin's encouragement of Karimov post Andijan (quite apart from the fact that Putin also encouraged Karimov to crack down on protestors in the first place)?

Why does Russia fear coloured revolutions so? Why can't it adopt a mature attitude, accept that the people in former Soviet countries have made their choice and then work with them to build a new relationship instead of bullying, hectoring and threatening them?