Posted on 08/10/2021 8:14:47 PM PDT by elpadre
At the end of July, the front page of Ukraine’s English-language newspaper The Kyiv Post read: “Betrayal. Global powers U.S. and Germany turn their backs on Ukraine and undermine European security as they strike a deal allowing the completion of Nord Stream 2, Russia’s controversial gas pipeline project.” The publication declared Angela Merkel Ukraine’s foe of the week and Joe Biden “a close second.”
The shift was abrupt. Biden has long been considered Ukraine’s “big friend,” with Brian Bonner, the editor of The Kyiv Post, saying that prior to the 2020 U.S. elections, Ukrainians were “holding their breath and hoping that Biden wins” after the trauma of Trump’s inexplicable affinity for Russia. But now, Biden’s soft approach to Nord Stream 2 is delighting the Kremlin, and catching Ukrainians off-guard.
The bitter “betrayal” headline came after the United States and Germany reached an agreement on July 21 that allows for the completion of the pipeline, which will deliver gas from Russia to Germany. The deal will hike up Germany’s dependence on Russia for its energy needs, while circumventing Ukraine and depriving it of billions of dollars in lost gas transit fees per year. Russia’s current transit agreement with Ukraine expires at the end of 2024.
Germany promised to send an envoy to “facilitate an extension of up to 10 years” on Ukraine’s gas transit agreement with Russia, but Putin’s commentary about the prospect of an extension was utterly cynical. The Russian president declared that the decision would hinge on Ukraine demonstrating “good will.” (must read to the end at link)
(Excerpt) Read more at 112.international ...
“....Skabeeva asserted: “The American empire is falling apart before our very eyes.” Military expert Korotchenko immediately cautioned: “A wounded animal is twice as dangerous… They are a threat to our national security.” He baselessly bragged that Russian spies are intercepting “a number of secret directives” right after they land on Biden’s desk, and claimed that America is planning to interfere in Russia’s upcoming elections.....”
Did you know that bypassing Ukraine, who takes a 20% fee for gas that transits their territory is tantamount to undermining European security?
Even though the gas is shipped directly to Europe.
Me neither.
Ukraine has threatened to cut flow on their pipeline several times and Russia has cut it once to try to jolt them to their senses.
Ukraine’s leverage in the world is now nil. It’s all been squandered by hubris and stupidity. I don’t even have sympathy for them anymore.
The Ukraine is weak!
Ukraine Government got just what they deserve. They aways choose what in the end will always hurt themselves.
From the article:
“Meanwhile, Moscow continues to fund and support violent anti-government forces in Eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin handed out hundreds of thousands of Russian passports to Ukrainians, in order to cement Russia’s claim of “protecting” their citizens in the neighboring country. Russia used the same pretext to justify its annexation of Crimea. In July, the host of the Russian state TV program 60 Minutes Olga Skabeeva claimed that the number of Russian passports handed out to Ukrainians recently exceeded one million.”
And every one of the recipients petitioned for it, and was grateful when it was received. They are grateful for the military assistance too. The people east of the Dnieper and in Crimea want to be, or already are Russian.
From the article:
“The U.S. attempted to negotiate a kill-switch clause into its deal with Germany. It would have created a mechanism to cut the flow of gas via the Nord Stream 2 if Russia were to escalate its aggression against Ukraine—but that provision never made it into the final agreement.”
Our State Dept is stupid enough to believe anyone would be stupid enough to sign that deal.
From the article:
“Addressing Biden’s warning as to the Kremlin’s ongoing interference in next year’s midterm U.S. elections, Skabeeva scoffed: “We interfere only at the presidential level.” Echoing accusations from members of the Republican party claiming that Biden was “in bed with Putin,” Skabeeva resorted to trolling: “It’s curious how we first elected Trump and Biden came to avenge that. Instead, he also turned out to be our agent.”
Hilarious.
Skabeeva asserted:
“The American empire is falling apart before our very eyes.”
I wondered how long that would take! LOL
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