Fuck Russia, Fuck Ukraine - why the fuck are WE paying for their problems when OUR shit is falling apart?

I never though of it that way before

And Americans will pay for it in more than one way.

First, Russia and the "Stans" have very large reserves of natural gas, and some of the pipelines run through Ukraine to Europe. There have been disputes between Russia and Ukraine over the amount that Ukraine charges Russia for the use of the pipelines as well as what Ukraine pays for the Russian and Stan natural gas that it takes from the pipelines for its own use. Right now, Ukraine is substantially in arrears on its payments for Russian gas, and Ukraine will probably "liberate" gas from the Russian pipelines come winter if the payment issue is not resolved. That gas will not make it to Romania, Italy, etc. if it stays in Ukraine. Russia would like to have VERY substantial influence in Ukraine in order to have more control over the pipelies.

Second, there is reported to be a very substantial gas field offshore from Crimea and southwestern Ukraine. If Ukraine were to be able to develop that gas field, it might not need Russian gas and would be in a position to export gas to Europe in place of Russian gas. In addition, there are reported to be substantial shale gas fields in eastern Ukraine that could yield up substantial amounts of gas if fracked. In fact, one of Joe Biden's sons is an attorney with ties to the fracking business and now is a director of an Urkainian company that is seeking to frack gas in Ukraine. I think that young Biden's involvement is a bit unseemly--it is sometimes wise to avoid even the slightest appearance of impropriety.

In my opinion, gas and oil may play some part in the situation in Ukraine, particularly from Russia, but I think that the political and social aspirations of Ukrainians are more important for the Ukrainians themselves.

maybe next time

oh well, nevermind

Yes, before you posted it was pointed out that there was a typo in the OP.

$8 million, however, goes a ways further in Ukraine.

Note that one big issue that's created a problem in the area is the border. It's never been well delineated in the field. On paper, sure. But not in the field. A commission was set up to do this but Russia didn't bother to appoint enough people or authorize it to do much.

Ukraine's response recently has been to propose a wall or a ditch to show the border and provide at least some impediment to unauthorized crossings. Immediately Russia said this was a humanitarian crime against humanity of colossal proportions, illegal under all international norms and laws. In other words, it was exactly what Russia did when it annexed the Crimea, digging trenches, putting up guard posts, and putting up barbed wire fences--with the proviso that Russia installed the trenches and fences on Ukrainian territory to establish a "neutral zone" under its control (only Russian troops are allowed in the "neutral zone&quot . In one case, they did all of this on the "wrong side" of a populated area, which they apparently decided should be theres and decided to unilaterally annex. It has yet to move its troops from that area, mostly because it really wants to keep the natural gas pipeline distribution system that's there and because it directly reduces Ukraine's claims to the marine basin that's offshore by another 10 km or so.

Ukraine would also like to get some UAVs to monitor the border. They're a bit pricey, though. This, however, would be "military technology" that shouldn't be transferred to a 3rd party. Now, Russia has been using UAVs in Ukr airspace--oddly, usually just a short while before a well-targeted rebel artillery or mortal assault that kills Ukrainian border guards--and the rebels have mysteriously acquired dozens of these Russian-military UAVs. The EU has decided to allow tech transfer to Ukraine, and Russia is pitching a fit.

This isn't stopping children fleeing poverty and violence. This is to stop the grown men who support the "government" that's reinstituted the death penalty for "treason," "social defects," or for failing to uphold "Orthodox values" ("Orthodox," as in "Russian Orthodox," not as in "orthodox thinking&quot . Betray the revolution, engage in excessive public drunkenness or robbery, or gay sex ... "bang, you're dead." Hey, at least they're not "liberal gay Ukropist fascists."