[spanalot]

if Luckashencko sis not have a stroke befroe, he will now.

[spanalot]

if Luckashencko did not have a stroke before, he will now.

[A. Pole]

This might be a brilliant step which prevents next color coded revolution. Why?

It is because if makes transfer of a country from Russian sphere of influence to the Western one less lucrative.

West gets very good deal with Ukraine since Russia is stuck with the obligations to finance pro-Western anti-Russian regime to the tune of BILLIONS of dollars. So West gains and Russia pays.

But the victory in Belarus will mean huge expense and no gains for the West while saving expense (plus providing leverage in form of debt) for Russia. That way the color coded revolution might lose its steam.

[RightWhale]

Natural gas is measured in Btu or cubic feet on Western exchanges. Units are a severe problem.

[drypowder]

Some would say Free Market Capitolism!

[Centurion2000]

bump

[lilylangtree]

Didn't the Russian govt seize Gazprom and put its owner behind bars about two years ago? If so, sounds like a move by Russia's Putin.

[marron]

Going from a subsidized price to a market price is always tough.

But if you are subsidized, you are inevitably at the mercy of your supplier. If you pay market prices, multiple suppliers will beat a path to your door. Alternative supplies and alternative fuels become a practical consideration.

It may not seem like it, but in the long run Gazprom is doing them a favor. Although, if Gazprom is really playing it shrewdly, they will still price themselves just under market price, just low enough to keep out the alternatives.

But, if they do, then Belarus is still getting a bargain, even if it doesn't feel like it.

[Mazepa]

I came to terms with the more expensive Russian gas for Ukraine- no problem. I do have a problem with Ukraine subsidizing Russia by providing cheap rent for the Black Sea Fleet.

[goldstategop]

Russia is telling Belarus you want subsidized gas, give us control over your gas infrastructure. Or be prepared to pay market prices for the gas.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[Tailgunner Joe]

All former Soviet republics can clearly see just what they will get in return for siding with Russia: absolutely nothing.

Ukraine and Georgia may have price increases, but the alternative is price increases, loss of sovereignty and independence, and Russian subjugation. Pity poor Belarus.

[ketelone]

Well, its their natural resource, and asking world price is hardly unreasonable.

Theyve got the petroleum, and by Jingo if they do have the tens of thousands of tanks to make Lukashneko pay up.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

Putin knows the EU wont do anyhting...hell, the EU doesnt even have a army

[Dont Mention the War]

The price increase for Belarus is unusual because, unlike Ukraine, its president Alexander Lukashenko is a staunch ally of Russia.

Mr Lukashenko won re-election last month in a vote condemned as fraudulent by the EU and the US, but welcomed as fair by Moscow.

Sounds like the moral here is that if you accept rule by the corrupt, you get corruption.