 |
[credit: Steve Kelly, Times-Picayune]
Wackydoodle sez; I'ma holdin' out for "Yer Eminence"! |
This week President Putin scared the Europeans by warning that there could be natural gas shortages. As
US pointed out previously, Russia is a major supplier of natural gas to Europe (15%), especially Germany and Italy. Ukraine has a $2bn unpaid gas bill.
Putin said Moscow could shut the tap if Ukraine does not settle its debt. Speaking to a gathering in the Kremlin, President Putin said the annexation of Crimea was only done after a private canvas of opinion on the peninsula supported a Russian take-over. The referendum conducted by Crimean officials resulted in a 96.77% vote for annexation. Even a UN report critical of Russian influence and misinformation in Crimea admits that the absence of such activities would have not changed the outcome of the vote.
[Steve Breen, San Diego Union-Tribune]
'BC' Idonwanna: Nor his natural resources!
