by Oui
Thu Dec 15th, 2022 at 07:10:43 PM EST
Update: The Brief — Casus belli | EuroActiv |
UK banking rules in biggest shake-up in more than 30 years | BBC News |
ECB: Inflation to last longer
Determination and resilience to break the Russian gas monopoly on Europe
UNECE - Executive Committee (EXCOM)
As to the important question of energy resilience in Europe, this time last year, we started to see the first signs of unprecedented high gas prices and market volatility. This has since been exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its weaponisation of gas through subsequent cuts in gas supplies.
Since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine, 13 Member States have been cut off from Russian gas - either partially or totally.
We have seen a 76% reduction in gas flows from the East. At the same time, flows from Ukraine are down by 83%.
Nord Stream 1 and 2 were blown up in Europe's defense and promote national interests
So far, the European gas system has proved to be resilient and able to absorb alternative gas supplies to replace Russian gas.
More time needed to break Russian economy
The United States has rallied over 30 allies and partners around the world to impose drastic costs on Russia and the U.S. led coalition will continue to increase pressure on Putin. In the span of a few months, U.S. exports to Russia, including of critical technology inputs Putin needs to maintain his military, have decreased approximately 97%. Russia's imports of goods from around the world could fall by 40%. Factories across Russia are struggling to maintain production. Russia's GDP will likely decline by double digits, inflation is rising to over 20%, Russia's struggling to make bond payments, and Russia's defaulted on its sovereign debt for the first time in more than a century.
Stern warning from Stoltenberg, war may spread to NATO
Need to stand United behind a corrupt endeavor
h/t Cat for his recent and many posts scrutinizing double talk from the White House, Pentagon and NATO HQ. War hawks galore.
The Brief — Casus belli | EuroActiv |
The news broke at a time when the US said plans to send to Ukraine the sophisticated Patriot air defence system were in an advanced phase.
The Patriot air defence system reportedly requires trained personnel in large numbers. The US could of course train Ukrainian servicemen, but reportedly the process would take six months. Another solution – in theory – is to have US or NATO personnel operate the system on the ground.
This, of course, would mean “boots on the ground”, a new phase in the war in which NATO member countries would become – or be regarded by Russia – as co-belligerent. In such a scenario, Russia would certainly see it as legitimate to retaliate against NATO targets.
Although such a development would not necessarily trigger World War III or a nuclear holocaust, the security risks would increase dramatically.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Remember our heroes in Ukraine, sacrificed so we can live in riches and "freedom" ... didn't the Aztecs offer human sacrifice to appease the war gods? What does it take to appease our Atlantic war hawks of Pax America and the criminal war racketeering. #fossiltfuel #coal #lockheed #raytheon #halluburton #WeAreNato
Europe's new natural gas suppliers ... QatarGate and Azerbaijan friendship
As corruption scandal unfolds, Germany's Habeck wants to keep Qatar gas | Politico |
Borrell urges the Jungle to supply more fossil fuel to the Garden
Crisis in the Lachin Corridor
From the comments ...
Azerbaijani aggression of war on Armenia has the support of Turkiye, Israel [and EU] ...
