WHat do you mean by "blanket interruption"? Only gas flows via Ukraine are affected. Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
But by cutting more than the volumes 'bought' by Ukraine, Russia unambiguously targets European deliveries rather than those at stake in the official conflict with Ukraine. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
That's what I thought, thanks. Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
It would definitely be to Russia's advantage to sell gas at the Ukrainian border and let the Europeans deal with the transit. The problem is that the current situation is not driven by Russia's interests, but by those of a select few Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs who benefit from that situation - capturing a lot of money, mostly from Gazprom, but also from Ukrainian central authorities. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
If there is no gas supply how they (anyone) can benefit?
They can make money all year round on supplies to the privatised, cash-paid part of the Ukraine market. The wars are about sharing the spoils: who gets how much?
As to "letting the Europeans deal with it", that would mean EU monitors checking that no gas gets "lost" during transit.
They do this during a time when the Czech Presidency is attempting to keep crazy Grandpa Klaus under control...
I watched a whole Deutsche Welle Journal piece on freezing Bulgarians in which the journalists did not once mention the word "Ukraine." The whole thing was a story about how Russia was abusing the Bulgarian people, basically.
And you know, it made me think. If Saudia Arabia decided to stop giving us oil altogether, I think most Americans would not think "Whaa! Why doesn't SA care about us? They are oppressing us! Call the UN!" We'd blame ourselves for being idiot enough to rely on them. We already do. Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
