[meatloaf]

Russia doesn’t have the wherewithal to restart the cold war. Russia would like to further ensnare Ukraine which is the second largest country in Europe. All we need to do is encourage the building of an LNG terminal. Once we start exporting natural gas to Ukraine we’ve given Russia an economic kick to the balls. Russia won’t be able to use natural gas as leverage against Europe not to mention they’ll see diminshed income.

[Jimmy Valentine]

You are correct. Ukraine is also negotiating to join the European Union.

Two issues have strained relations with Russia.

1. Gas prices between Gazprom (R) and Naftogaz (U). The Russians use this like a hammer on Ukraine.

2. The port leases in Sevastopol and Odessa for the Black Sea Fleet. Russia has been double dealing on the lease.

Ukrainians are not Russian and do not want to re-affiliate. Also still too many bad memories of Stalin's "Holodomor" which left 10 million Ukrainians dead.

[TigersEye]

I believe you. So what the heckityhook is HillBilly talking about?