Russia Gives Ukraine Cheap Gas, Multibillion Dollar Loan.

[dipsydoodle]

Source: RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, December 17 (RIA Novosti) – Russia on Tuesday sharply lowered natural gas prices for Ukraine and provided its economically struggling neighbor with a multibillion loan package in a move that Ukraine’s government may hope will spell an end to ongoing street protests.

President Vladimir Putin announced at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart in Moscow that Russia will sell gas to Ukraine’s Naftogaz energy company for $268.5 per 1,000 cubic meters, well below the current level of more than $400. Putin said, however, the price may only be lowered temporarily.

“We believe this is a temporary decision, by which it is mean that long-term agreements should and will be signed. This concerns both supplies to Ukraine and securing uninterrupted transit to our consumers in Europe,” Putin said after the meeting.

Russia will also dip into its national wealth fund to buy $15 billion in Ukrainian eurobonds, Putin said. That will provide desperately needed liquidity for Ukraine, which is currently facing a looming balance of payments crisis.

Read more: http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131217/185656762/Russia-Gives-Ukraine-Cheap-Gas-Multibillion-Dollar-Loan.html

[Vox Moi]

1. Imagine that! Attempting to buy people off with cheap gas! n/t

[newfie11]

2. Good for him

[2naSalit]

3. I get the sinking feeling

that this isn't going to be well received by the general population, at all. Prepare for a Russian style crackdown soon. And, of course, more mayhem and $$ for mic.

Maybe, as a species, we are going into major meltdown and we'll all be living in the streets before long.

[Igel]

4. The Russians will mostly like it.

The Western Ukrainians mostly will not.

Eastern Ukrainians will be mixed.

[2naSalit]

5. That actually

makes more sense. I am sure you are correct about that.

I once had to interview several groups of Ukrainians for a study in the state of Washington and discovered major differences in the regional identities (and religions) of the various groups that live all over the state. I had to study a lot about Ukraine and the culture(s) for the project too. It was pretty interesting to learn about since I was dealing with present-day issues with them... was just prior to the Orange revolution.