Video - Canada's PM Harper: "Putin's invasion of Ukraine ... must not be allowed to stand"

Ukraine Today: Ukraine's debt to private creditors should be restructured...in plain words: "We are broke and won't pay our debts"....expect fireworks.

Considering it's an election year for Harper and the large number of Ukrainian Canadians, it's 'normal' to hear this kind of talk.

Remains the fact that Ukraine is broke, has a mountain of debts from not paying their bills and no gas reserves for coming Winter.This situation is bound to escalate.

Putin has two options: Option slow retreat and the option of an insane escalation.

Putin has two options: Option slow retreat and the option of an insane escalation.(Espreso) [Google translate].

- Hello, Andrei. I read your tweet, where he wrote that Putin now has a choice: "To lose power as banal thief or lose power as the leader of the embattled Russian world." Once you have written that the Federation Council may soon come. Could you explain what you mean

- The fact that Moscow was made two very curious statement. 

Chairman of the Federation Council, Mrs. Matvienko, Russian senators asked not to go too far from Moscow, as in the near future may be called an extraordinary meeting of the Federation Council. This could explain some bills in the Duma, they say they need to take place before the summer holidays by the Federation Council. But just half an hour after it was made, Mr. Sands, who somehow suddenly decided to remind the city and the world that actually Putin can once again turn to the Federation Council with a request to give him authority to use the Armed Forces beyond our borders. This is all very worrying signals. They can, of course, be considered as part of the continuous military blackmail, which deals with Putin. But right now I would rate the likelihood of military escalation as a higher than even a few weeks ago.

Quite close to my assessment of the situation given, for example, is very far away from me in the next man Prohanov Sabbath Solovyov. However, he has formulated it somewhat differently according to their political outlook. He said: "We have a choice of either World War III or the second restructuring." The second restructuring in its language - Putin's retreat, his political defeat and displacement. Prohanov continued: "Perestroika, we still lose, and World War III can be won. So let's go to the Third World War. "

I believe that something similar can move and head of Putin himself. Therefore, the next few days, a week - they are very important. And it's strange attack at Marinka two days ago also seems to me not accidental, but an attempt to "feel out" the situation including within his own entourage. . I think that everything will depend on how Putin single-handedly controls the situation.

We are going through very troubled days. An intermediate situation can not continue indefinitely. Choice - escalation or slow retreat - the Kremlin in general, or Putin, if he is single-handedly controls the entire system of government should take in the near future.

- Recently, there are reports from Russian sources, with reference to the same Valentina Matvienko, that the Federation Council can vote for the accession of Transnistria. And, given that Ukraine has blocked Transnistria, this news sounds very anxious. Do you think Russia will dare even to the annexation of Transnistria?

- You know, taking off his head, the hair do not cry. Transnistria, it is a tactic. The question is different: whether the regime will be decided on a real war with Ukraine, Moldova and, indeed, with the West? Where he decides: the Donbas, Moldova, or maybe it is now actively offering Russian media to throw special squad to Odessa, grab Saakashvili, bring him in a cage to Moscow and Putin, his one seat hangs - it is technical details.

Very anxious, of course, what is being discussed and aggravation of the situation around Transnistria. It simply underscores that the scenario of military escalation, in spite of all his madness, is regarded very seriously. And where they will arrange a new provocation: in Marinka, Tiraspol or in Odessa - this is not essential. Now Putin will have to decide for themselves the question or slow, very boring, viscous and hopeless retreat, or challenge the West and the fate and the insane escalation, in which, as said Mr. Prokhanov, "What if we have a chance and win ? '

- What do you think, what will be the reaction of the West, because, in principle, have already begun and military provocations is absolutely clear that the Minsk Agreement thwarted?

- Today I watched meeting of the Security Council. At that time Samantha Power "drove a muzzle on the table" Churkin accident. But the Security Council in fact does not solve anything. Performances of the British and American representatives were, however, rigid and clearly indicate what they see as the culprit running escalation.

I have no doubt that the reaction of the West to be very sharp. I think that the basis for this conclusion is all that is said and what makes the West over the past two to three weeks with respect to Putin and the Kremlin's power. The West warned Moscow about the consequences of military escalation in very uncertain terms.

The point is not to be sympathetic to the Western Ukraine or the absence of such sympathies. The West is now most acute problem solve their own security. Because about Ukraine because he could tell, and he said, Obama and Rasmussen on the first day of the conflict a year ago: "Ukraine is not a member of NATO, so our military intervention is absolutely impossible." And there will be a military intervention. Yes this is not necessary. The West has enough economic and political means to inflict a humiliating defeat Putin.

They certainly it will cause, because if they would allow Putin to triumph in Moldova, Ukraine or anywhere else, then the next day his "little green men" will appear in the Baltic states on the territory of a NATO member country. 

There will not be able to avoid a war with Russia. If Western politicians betray Estonia - a member of NATO, do not fulfill their obligations under para. 5 of the NATO Charter, then it will be the infamous end of NATO, the end of the West as a subject of world politics, leaving the United States from the world stage as a guarantor of the security of the West.

And if they come to the aid of Estonia - a war with nuclear power, led by a person in a different reality, and brandishing nuclear weapons. It's unthinkable choice. Therefore, as I see the situation, the West made a firm decision not to bring the situation to such a choice, and stop Putin here and now in Ukraine, with the maximum use of a set of economic and political means, but «without boots on the ground».

Pick up the rhetoric of recent days. All influential Western leaders speak with one voice. Obviously, they were discussing the issue and Putin came to a common denominator. Thus, the Canadian Prime Minister said: "As long as Putin in the Kremlin - is no place for Russia in the Group of Eight will not." However, shrederovsky "fosterling" Steinmeier - Germany's foreign minister, to try something squeak that "in fact, we need Russia to solve some issues in Iran and Syria." But then he straightened Merkel sharply.

For the West, came a kind of "moment of truth". This situation is quite unusual for Putin. His game with the nuclear blackmail in political poker burst. For a year these Trenin, Lukyanov, Karaganov on any "informal talks" with the American political scientists sincerely whispered: "Well, understand, after all, Ukraine more important for us than for you. Therefore, we will raise rates until the use of nuclear weapons. You still flinch and turn away. " West did not flinch, did not give up and will stand up to Putin is very tough. Therefore, a new and very unpleasant situation for him. Hmmm....If i were Putin the 05 July at 03,00 AM would seem a good time to start. Read the full story here.

Video - Rostov Russia - Echelon military equipment & Howitzers transport in direction of Ukraine. June 6, 2015

These are heavy 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya self propelled howitzers & they come with #Russia troops. So full invasion of #Ukraine in on! #PutinAtWar

— Thomas C. Theiner (@noclador) June 6, 2015

#Russia artillery battalion painted over its insignias (seen @AVechera) +5x wagons full of troops = #Ukraine invasion pic.twitter.com/Jtxlad38eV

— Thomas C. Theiner (@noclador) June 6, 2015

Crazy stuff. All identification marks painted over. Upper right pic shows Kamaz 4350, seen in Ukraine 3 days ago. https://t.co/NwXGLd3w89

— Julian Röpcke (@JulianRoepcke) June 6, 2015

These self-propelled guns seem to be the 152.4 mm "2S3 Akatsiya". http://t.co/bOd5ux5iVc pic.twitter.com/5iBoDU9NAU

— Ukraine@war (@DajeyPetros) June 6, 2015

Russia's tank corp heading for summer "vacation" in Ukraine #ruSSiaInvadedUkraine pic.twitter.com/nw4c0Rn4xk

— Тошу Триниті (@ToshuTrinity) June 6, 2015

Obama 'Admin' Threat of US Missile Deployment in Europe Should Be Taken Seriously.

Obama 'Admin' Threat of US Missile Deployment in Europe Should Be Taken Seriously. (SP).

The possibility of US missile deployment in Europe to counter alleged Russian violations of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms control treaty should not be underestimated, former Pentagon official and vice president of the Lexington Institute think tank Dan Goure told Sputnik on Friday.

“This is not a threat the [US President Barack] Obama administration would make lightly,” Goure said. Goure noted the discussion of a possible US counterforce response “is remarkable considering the Obama Administration's efforts to develop a positive relationship with Moscow.”

On Thursday, the Associated Press reported the Obama administration is considering deploying missile capable of striking targets inside Russia, as a counter force measure to alleged Russian violations of the INF Treaty.

The United States is weighing the option of improving “the ability of US nuclear weapons to destroy military targets on Russian territory,” according to the report.

Goure, who served as an analyst and advisor in the Pentagon, noted that US counterforce options “are likely to be the nearest-term and the most effective conventional counter to the growing Russian threat.”

In the past six months, US officials, including Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, have presented three possible US responses to alleged INF violations: counterforce, active defensive or deterrent measures and fully withdrawing from the INF Treaty. Goure commented that the INF Treaty “is dying.”

He added, “We are rapidly returning to the Cold War days of escalation ladders, nuclear umbrellas and limited options.” Washington has accused Russia of testing a ground-based cruise missile in violation of the bilateral arms control treaty. Russia has repeatedly denied violating the INF Treaty, and has accused the United States of deploying defense systems in Romania and Poland with capabilities that violate the Treaty. Hmmmm....I think Putin is thinking 'just make my day'. He'll use the US Deployment to install way more nukes.

Video - Russian Army moving towards the Ukrainian border.

Vehicle in Al Jazeera video https://t.co/UZn5HZuDSU is a BTS-4 (T-54T) armoured tractor with snorkel (stowed down) pic.twitter.com/7tkJuowHS3

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) June 1, 2015

Russian tanks, APCs, AA, engineers and EW vehicles nr Matveev Kurgan, Rostov region (20km from Ukraine border) 26 May pic.twitter.com/nps1LDuVxc

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Vehicle (left) at Matveev Kurgan, Rostov reg 26 May is Borisoglebsk-2B R-330BMV jammer (right, manufacturer photos) pic.twitter.com/W35asFYb4L

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Tanks + Tunguska anti-aircraft + obstacle clearing + Borisoglebsk-2 EW vehicle, Matveev Kurgan, Rostov region 26 May pic.twitter.com/3Kz1QTTFn1

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

We'd like expert opinion if this is "Borisoglebsk-2" EW/countermeasures/jamming/radio vehicle? http://t.co/Adw5uzfxh9 pic.twitter.com/m5TqIcT09w

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Russian RS-24 "Yars" mobile ICBM systems at Teykovo (near Ivanovo) Russia (uploaded 31 May) https://t.co/jS7PYBI6TS pic.twitter.com/xH06ooDr8v

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 31, 2015

Manufacturer "Borisoglebsk-2B": VHF radio jamming station designed to interfere with land-line http://t.co/j7VZRBnng0 pic.twitter.com/uPyj6LeqGS

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Latest Russian weapons: "Borisoglebsk-2B" complex for SIGINT and electronic warfare jamming, 1 April 2015 https://t.co/z5VNssW2o6

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) Cmdr V. Shamanov: risk of Russia being drawn into war increases http://t.co/7zLhKJgSdc pic.twitter.com/PFmQPLleAR

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) June 1, 2015

Gazprom to demand more than $8bn from Ukraine in ‘take-or-pay’ contract penalties, total gas debt almost $29.5 billion.

Gazprom to demand more than $8bn from Ukraine in ‘take-or-pay’ contract penalties, total gas debt almost $29.5 billion.(RT).

Russia’s Gazprom wants Ukraine’s Naftogaz to pay penalties for taking less than the agreed upon amount of gas in 2014, considering the so-called “take-or-pay” contract signed by the companies.
Gazprom would require Naftogaz of Ukraine to pay $8.197 billion in “take-or-pay” contract penalties, said company head Aleksey Miller at the European Business Congress on Thursday.

Russian natural gas producer also put Ukraine's total gas debt at almost $29.5 billion.

At the end of 2014 Russia, Ukraine and the EU agreed to put a freeze on the “take-or-pay” principle for five months which means that in the period spanning 1 November 2014 to 31 March 2015, Russia would not impose fines on Ukraine.

However, Gazprom has every right under the contract to fine Naftogaz for failing to provide payments from January 1 to October 31, 2014; there was no such freeze for the period of time spanning January 1 to October 31, 2014.

Naftogaz has reacted by saying it has never paid penalties arising from the “take-or-pay” rule and does not intend to do it in the future. The Ukrainian company claims the “take or pay” condition is not part of the contract.


At the same time the company welcomes the intention of Gazprom to submit their claims to an arbitration court. “Arbitration is the most civilized way to resolve commercial disputes when the parties cannot find a consensus through negotiations,” said the head of Naftogaz Andrei Kobolev, commenting on the statement of his Russian counterpart Aleksey Miller.

 “The corresponding claim will be addressed to Naftogaz of Ukraine today, the same claim will be directed to the Stockholm arbitration,” said Miller, quoted by RIA.

Miller estimated the total debt of Naftogaz to Gazprom at more than $29 billion. He said $200 million are owed to Gazprom for gas deliveries to the Donetsk and the Lugansk regions in Eastern Ukraine.

Earlier Gazprom filed an action to the Stockholm arbitration against Naftogaz, demanding $18.5 billion for the gas volumes in 2012-2013 that weren’t delivered by Gazprom but had to be paid for by Ukraine under the “take-or-pay” agreement. Hmmm.....Come Winter Ukraine will have No Gas reserves and no money.....get ready for war. 

Massive Air Force Drill Under Way In Russia

Left Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin

Massive Air Force Drill Under Way In Russia.(rferl).

The Russian Defense Ministry says that its air forces have begun a massive exercise involving hundreds of aircraft and thousands of service personnel.

In a May 25 statement, the ministry described the four-day drill as a "massive surprise inspection," to check combat readiness.

"The inspection involves about 12,000 military service personnel, as well as up to 250 planes and helicopters and 689 various weapons and pieces of military hardware," the statement said.

The manoeuvers began on the same day as NATO and some of its partners started an Arctic training exercise.

Russia's involvement in Ukraine and incursions into Western airspace have led to rising tensions with the West.

A ministry spokesperson said that, during the inspection, "Long-range aviation aircraft will carry out cruise missile strikes against a mock enemy's ground targets at the Pemboi test and training area (in the Komi Republic)."

Asked about Russia's assertiveness in a television interview, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin joked that "tanks don't need visas." Read the full story here.

Russia To Adopt 'Tough' Position If Ukraine Defaults on end of the year debts.

Russia To Adopt 'Tough' Position If Ukraine Defaults on end of the year debts. (rferl).

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Russia would adopt what he calls a tough position if Ukraine decides not to repay debts owed by its previous government.

Speaking to Russian TV in an interview broadcast May 23, Medvedev says if Ukraine were to default on its obligations, Russia would "defend its national interests."

Earlier this week, Ukraine's parliament approved a law that would give the government the right to miss payments to its international creditors as it renegotiates payment terms.

Russia holds a $3 billion Ukrainian eurobond whose full repayment is due by the end of the year.

Medvedev also says the Russian government was right to allow its currency, the ruble, to float and that it was "optimal" to achieve a balance in the foreign-currency market.

The ruble has lost about a third of its value with respect to the U.S. dollar in the past year. Hmmmm.....By Winter Ukraine has no gas reserves and no money......welcome to WWIII

Belarus will Require The 'unemployed' To Pay a fine of $250 For Not Working .

Belarus will Require The 'unemployed' To Pay a fine of $250 For Not Working. (rferl).

A new measure adopted by Belarus says people who work less than half the year will have to pay the government for their idleness.

The Belarusian parliament on May 6 passed the proposal by authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. It requires work-capable people who work less than 183 days a year to pay an annual fine of $250. 

Disabled people, pensioners, and people with young children are exempt.

A statement from the parliament, where the measure passed by a vote of 100-2, said "it's necessary to stimulate citizens who are capable of work and ensure they fulfill their constitutional obligation to take part in financing state expenditures."


Labor Minister Marianna Shchetkina told the parliament the measure would be temporary. Hmmmm.....Memories of the good old USSR come back .

Putin's 'Appetite' suddenly getting bigger? - Belarusians Bristle at Russian Land Claims on Belarus.

Putin's 'Appetite' suddenly getting bigger? - Belarusians Bristle at Russian Land Claims on Belarus. (Jamestown).

Russian imperialists have insisted that more than any other place within the former Soviet space, Belarus is artificial. 

They reach this conclusion on the basis that Belarus is culturally related to Russia on many measures, had only a brief experience with national independence before 1991, and—what they see as their trump card—underwent frequent border changes by others, including Moscow. 

As a result, these Muscovites suggest, Belarusians should not be adverse to the inclusion of what is now an independent state within the borders of the Russian Federation. Read the full story here.

Video - Ukraine - Large contingent of pro-Russian infantry moving in towards central Debaltseve

Source:

VIDEO: Large contingent of pro-Russian infantry moving in towards central #Debaltseve #Ukraine https://t.co/uJnjVfe9gr
— Conflict News (@rConflictNews) February 17, 2015

Ukraine - Poroshenko declares cease-fire in place (TRANSCRIPT)

Ukraine - Poroshenko declares cease-fire in place (TRANSCRIPT). (KievPost).

Editor's Note: The following is a statement from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

  Read the statement here and below

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has declared ceasefire along the entire line of hostilities in Donetsk and Luhansk region from February 15, 00:00.

Respective statement was made by the President on the premises of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Saturday, February 14, at 23:55.

"Ukraine has always treated its international commitments with great responsibility. We are willing to prove that once again. In a few minutes, glorious Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Border Troops, the units of the Ministry of the Interior and the Security Service of Ukraine will execute my order as Supreme Commander-in-Chief to cease fire along the entire line of clash with the enemy in Donetsk and Luhansk regions as stipulated by the agreements achieved in Minsk in the Normandy format with participation of the Presidents of Ukraine, France, Russia and the Chancellor of Germany," the President noted.

The Head of State emphasizes that Ukraine counts on a responsible attitude of the opposite party to the fulfillment of undertaken obligations, as negotiations have reached the highest level.

The Ukrainian Crisis Media Center also translated his live broadcast below:

Ukraine has always complied with its international obligations. We are ready to demonstrate our determination and uphold this principle again. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is going to order the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard of Ukraine and the Border Guard to cease their fire along the entire frontline in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the next minutes. The ceasefire takes place according to the agreements reached in Minsk between the leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia.

Pacta sunt servanda is a principle that was not invented by us, but we strictly abide to it.

Ukraine expects the opposing side will act with much greater responsibility than before, considering the fact that negotiations have been conducted at the highest political level.

We have accounted for the announcement of one of militant leaders regarding his intentions to cease fire. We hope that the price of his words will be worth the paper on which he signed the order.

We are experiencing a whole array of sentiments in these minutes: optimism and pessimism, hope and skepticism, faith and concern. The situation around Debaltseve causes great concerns. For us it is a military springboard, while claims about encirclement is either a sick hallucination or wishful thinking. We can just recall an old proverb that honey is sweet, but the bee stings.

The Russian side demonstrated an excessive interest in the situation around Debaltseve on the eyes of the whole world during the Minsk negotiations. We were ready to take the Russian representatives on the battlefield. Yet they did not express any desire to come there and see that there is no encirclement around the city. Debaltseve, or rather what has remained from it after intensive shelling by the terrorists, is under control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Therefore I think the fact of using the tense situation on the outskirts of Debaltseve by militants-terrorists-mercenaries poses a great threat, which can violate the ceasefire regime. I am warning all participants of the Minsk negotiations, including the Russian Federation, which identifies itself as the guarantor of the reached agreements. In my opinion, it is too much to say that force is necessary to guarantee action from those you fully control; a mere political will is enough.

In the course of the last two days, I have divided my virtually round-the-clock working time on two major parts: meetings with the heads of the Ukrainian military and law-enforcement in order to ensure ceasefire, and diplomatic consultations regarding the same issue. I had a telephone conversation with President Barack Obama just a couple of hours ago after group telephone call with Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Barak Obama. The whole world held its breath, arduously anticipating tomorrow's sunset.

I will not tell what are we going to do in case if the militants decide to violate ceasefire. I will only tell that if we get attacked, we shall retaliate, and let God help us.

This is probably the last chance to restore a hard and long-term pathway toward political settlement of the conflict in Donbas.

I will put all my efforts to prevent any careless actions or unjustified fire that may undermine this opportunity.

Ukraine is interested in peace more than anyone else. For those who like to speculate about protecting the “Russian-speakers", Russian-speaking Ukrainians and Ukrainian-speakers too are only a cannon fodder in the struggle for the restoration of empire.

Video - Poroshenko: "He (Putin) is fighting a dirty, unfair war." Lukashenko: "I know, I know. And everyone understood that."

Deciphering the conversation in the video

Poroshenko: "He started unfair and dirty ... (did not catch the game) 

Lukashenka: "I know, I know ... but everyone understood it"

Second version:

Poroshenko about Putin: he is dishonest, dirty game.

Lukashenko: I know, i know.....Everyone understands this.

Hmmm....Lukashenko ...would sell his mother if it was needed.

Belarus leader Lukashenko says he is ready to send peacekeepers to Ukraine.

Belarus leader Lukashenko says he is ready to send peacekeepers to Ukraine. (RBTH).

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has announced his readiness to send his country's forces to Ukraine to help resolve the Ukrainian conflict peacefully. 

"If necessary. But for me this would be a very dangerous and terrible thing to put my own soldiers at risk: if the Russians mistrust the West, and the West, Russia, if the USA and Russia mistrust each other, and there is mistrust between the warring parties, I would be putting my own armed forces in harm's way to separate the conflicting parties," Lukashenko said in an interview with Euronews.

A part of Lukashenko's interview has already been published on the Euronews website. 

The full version of the interview will be broadcast by the television station on Friday evening.

The Belarusian president said his country was ready to continue its mission aimed at securing a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian crisis.

Lukashenko also said in the interview that he had offered his own plan to settle the conflict in eastern Ukraine, adding that this plan had not been adopted so far.

Luka would do Anything for 'peace'

Video - Belorussian Independence Day parade: WWII military weaponry and new.... Iskander missiles in Minsk.

Video - Belorussian Independence Day parade: WWII military weaponry and new.... Iskander missiles in Minsk. More here from Belsat.

Ukraine - Russia Gas talks stall - Europeans better get ready for a 'Russian Winter".

Ukraine - Russia Gas talks stall - Europeans better get ready for a 'Russian Winter" (RT).

Kiev has not been paying for gas it imports from Russia for months, resulting in a multibillion dollar debt mounting. Russia says that it would invoke the prepay option of the standing contract and would only deliver as much gas as Kiev pays for in advance starting Monday. With Ukraine not willing to pay, this would mean an effective cut-off.

Russia offered a $100 discount to gas price roughly to the level that the Europeans pay. The offer includes recalculation of the current debt, which would revalue gas supplied since April with the discount applied, but Kiev rejected this plan, saying it’s not good enough.

“Ukraine has been offered a very generous discount and yet they still want more. It really is quite incredible – the nerve and the chutzpah of the Ukrainian government in all this. I don’t think any amount of discount would really satisfy Ukraine. They are spoiling for a fight here,” believes journalist Neil Clark.

Instead of compromising and settling the debt, Kiev seems to be preparing to raise the stakes. Over the past few months it has been pumping as much unpaid Russian gas into its underground gas storages as it could and now says it has enough to last till autumn.

Kiev’s desire to dictate the terms to Russia may have an irrational basis underneath, international law expert Alexander Mercouris told RT.
“It is difficult for the Ukrainians at this time to negotiate with Russians about anything. There are many people in Kiev who don’t like that,” he said.

“One of the fundamental problems with the way in which the Ukrainian authorities have been dealing with their multiple crises since they took power in February is that they don’t seem to show very much grasp of reality,” he added.

There are also concerns that Kiev would eventually simply siphon off gas it transits from Russia to European consumers, as was the case during previous rounds of gas stand-offs.

A more distant problem will arise in winter. Normally Ukraine would accumulate gas intended for Europe in summertime and deliver it in winter, because that’s how the Ukrainian gas pipeline system is designed. With gas from the storages use for Ukraine’s own consumption, there would simply not be enough for Europe next winter.

“The Ukrainian government has been intransigent and putting the people of Europe at risk. That’s why the EU is actually cautiously supporting Russia’s position at this time,” political analyst Bill Dores told RT.

Ukraine has for years enjoyed a politically motivated preferred treatment by Russia in terms of gas price discounts, he added. Now there is a government in Kiev hostile towards Russia, and Moscow has no reason to support it.

An escalating conflict would hurt all the three parties involved. But the Ukrainian government may be tempted to raise the stakes now, said Mercouris.

“There is an expectation that once things are deteriorating in Ukraine, it could be blamed on the Russians,” he explained.


With Ukrainian economy already in peril, painful austerity measures demanded by international creditors in exchange for loans and a political turmoil in the eastern provinces, Kiev has loads of blame to apportion in the future. Hmmmm.....Better stock up on Wooleys, Cause Europe can't deliver much Hydro power either !! You heard it first at MFS.


Updates:

2.Russia and Ukraine fail to reach gas deal ahead of cut-off deadline


1. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed concern in telephone talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier about Saturday's attack on the Russian embassy in Kiev and about the Western partners' refusal to condemn it in the UN Security Council. 

"Telephone talks were held on June 15 between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and German Foreign Minster Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Continuing the discussion held in trilateral talks on Saturday between Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, the Russian and German foreign ministers discussed the Russia-Ukraine-European Union gas agenda and the situation surrounding the planned signing of an association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement in Moscow on Sunday.

Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines - http://rbth.com/news/2014/06/15/lavrov_concerned_about_western_partners_refusal_to_condemn_attack_on_rus_37443.html)

Ukraine - Kiev preparing for shutdown of Russian gas on Monday.

Ukraine - Kiev preparing for shutdown of Russian gas on Monday. (RT) [Googletranslate].

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk ordered to begin preparing for an end to fuel supplies from Russia. Chairman of "Naftogaz Ukraine" Andrew Kobolev said in turn that Kiev does not repay its debt by Monday, "Gazprom", because he believes the price assigned to Moscow, controversial.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yatsenyuk said that the country should prepare for shutdown of Russian gas on Monday.

Head of the Ukrainian gas company "Naftogaz" states that a compromise with Russia is still possible, and that his company is ready to sign a contract, writes InoTV .

 According to Andrew Koboleva, Ukraine's debts for gas will not be paid, because the position of "Gazprom" is "so not constructive, and I would even say aggressive, that Ukraine sees no reason to pay the disputed unpaid bills."

"In fact, we have already paid the entire amount, which we consider certain, for delivery at a price that is not in doubt. It was the first thing we did to the negotiations became possible. As requested Russia ", - said the head of" Naftogaz Ukraine "in an interview with U.S. television channel CNN.

Kobolev noted that Russian and Ukrainian sides have been negotiating for weeks. "We achieved market prices. And at the end of the week the Russian Federation told us: "No. We do not agree to conduct trade negotiations, we are ready to discuss some discount. "

And with this discount Ukraine, in fact, never agree. I think European countries too, "- said the businessman. Hmmmm.....Without gas hard to get another Michelin Star, even for the French.

Update:  

Ukraine expects new gas talks with Russia: government source

Ukraine prepared to settle gas debt within 10 days, if Gazprom lowers price to $268 - Ukrainian PM

Ukraine prepared to settle gas debt within 10 days, if Gazprom lowers price to $268 - Ukrainian PM (RBTH).

Ukraine is prepared to complexly settle its debt for Russian gas within 10 days after Russian gas giant Gazprom agrees to return the price to $268 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas and sign the corresponding supplementary agreement, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said.

"As soon as such a price is set and an additional agreement signed, Ukraine is prepared to settle all debts within ten days. […] But for this, it is necessary for Gazprom to understand that it is unacceptable to apply a political price and use gas as a political weapon," he said at a briefing in Kharkov's airport on Wednesday.

Yatsenyuk added that Ukraine had begun the pre-arbitration process to settle the gas issue.

"Russia's Gazprom has received a complaint from the Ukrainian company [Ukraine's national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy] that has a clear list of the demands that we believe are legal, and Russia's Gazprom must meet us halfway.

Additionally, we have also proposed - and on multiple occasions - that our Russian partners prolong the contract at the price of $268 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, like it was in the first quarter of last year. […] If we reach an agreement at the end of 30 days [from the day the complaint was received], that means we will not go to court. If this agreement is not reached, then 24 days remain and we will meet with Gazprom at the arbitration court in Stockholm," he said. Hmm....Ukrainian Mobster tactics?

Belorussian President Lukashenko: "The events happening in Ukraine, do not allow us to remain uninvolved,"

Belorussian President Lukashenko: "The events happening in Ukraine, including Odesa, "do not allow us to remain uninvolved,"(VOR).

The events happening in Ukraine, including Odesa, "do not allow us to remain uninvolved," Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told his counterparts from Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan at a Kremlin meeting on Thursday.

"The Ukrainian events do not allow us to sit idle. The Odesa events evoke some bad comparisons. We remember Khatyn, several hundreds of Belarusian villages burned down by the Nazis," Lukashenko said.

"We cannot be detached observers because our people are there, they are pleading for help and demanding a reaction to such incidents," the Belarusian president said. He said he "was concerned about the totally inadequate reaction of our, so to say, Western partners."

"This is just amazing: what is not allowed to happen in one situation is permitted and encouraged in another," he stressed. Read the full story here.

Belarusian president Lukashenko: Crimea is de-facto part of Russia.

Belarusian president Lukashenko: Crimea is de-facto part of Russia.(RT).

Lukashenko stressed that no one has asked Belarus to recognize or not to recognize Crimea as the federal subject of Russia.

“Crimea isn’t an independent state. It’s part of the Russian territory. One can recognize or not recognize that, it will change nothing,” Lukashenko told journalists in Minsk on Sunday.

“I am asked where my country is in this situation. Taking into account historical processes, in the framework of the CIS, we’re linked with agreements, and we’ll be with [on the side of] the Russian Federation,” the Belarus president added.

However, he stressed that Belarus isn’t against NATO.

“If the question arises, we’ll be with Russia forever,” Lukashenko said.

On the other hand, Lukashenko “as a person, not as a politician” is of the opinion that Ukraine should “remain an integral, indivisible, non-aligned state.”

Speaking on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Lukashenko said, “Would you like it if a state’s sovereignty is breached? But who pushed towards that? When Russia saw how the Russian, Slavic world was being stifled, the country interfered immediately.”

Finally, he pointed out that if Ukraine is determined to join NATO, “evidently, Belarusian reaction to that will be harsh.”

Belarus will build a relationship with the new Ukrainian government after it is elected, Lukashenko also stated.
“Whoever is elected by the Ukrainian people, we’ll support them. They are our neighbors, not some strangers to us,” the Belarusian leader said.

He added that Belarus can’t scrap its partnership with Ukraine, as their combined turnover of goods was 7 billion dollars last year.

The Belarusian president thinks that statements about quitting the CIS by the coup-appointed Ukrainian politicians are shortsighted.
“I think that those who influence Ukrainian politics won’t make such a step. Why slam the door?”

He said he will propose discussing the issue with Ukrainian politicians. The exit of Ukraine from the CIS would be a heavy blow – “but not a deadly one,” Lukashenko further noted. Hmmm....With the fall of the Soviet Union Russia removed the nuclear weapons from Belarus after Lukashenko treathened to use them on the West.