Head Image: Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, looks back at US President Barack Obama, left, as they arrive with Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, at the the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.(Credit: AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Written by: Vandita
In a ‘goodwill’ gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on December 27 to supply 50,000 tons of coal per day to soon-to-be bankrupt Ukraine to ward off their winter blues, well literally. Since Ukraine cannot pay for coal, the ‘sale’ will be treated as donation in order to help Ukrainians through the winter.
“Against all the odds as President Putin said earlier in the hard times he had never given up the consistent policy towards supporting the Ukrainian people and providing real and not eventual support, due to the critical energy situation Putin took a decision on such supplies regardless the absence of prepayment, which is the condition of making them. This proves President Putin’s political goodwill to provide support for Ukrainians, particularly before New Year,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Kozak, earlier in the day had said that Russia would supply Ukraine with “up to a total of 1 million tons of coal per month to remove energy problems that arise in that country.” President Putin decided instead on 1.5 million tons per month.
The decision comes at a time when Russia itself is facing financial hardships from EU and US economic sanctions imposed on Russia for backing separatists in eastern Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea. Russian economy is also being adversely affected by the falling oil prices apparently from the Saudi Arabia’s agreement with US to flood the global markets with oil to drive down oil prices enough to hurt Russia.
In mid-December, US President Barack Obama signed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014, into law. 98% of the US House of Representatives and 100% of the US Senate voted for the US to donate lethal weapons and up to $450 million to Ukraine to aid its war against the pro-Russian residents in Donbass region of Ukraine. The motive was clear – ethnic cleansing. To help Ukraine conquer or expel the vast majority of rebellious residents who don’t recognize the legitimacy of the US coup on 22 February 2014 that overthrew Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Observer front page – “Ukraine’s president flees Kiev as opposition takes control” #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/JEz6LovQQB
— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) 22. Februar 2014
With the New Year Bonanza to Ukraine, Putin seems to reassure that neither Saudi Arabia nor the US can dictate his policies. He also seems focussed on addressing the extreme hardships faced by the victims of February coup in Ukraine. In the end, however, ‘poor’ Ukraine will have the last laugh as it will be receiving donations from the taxpayers in both the United States and Russia.
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Source:
http://rinf.com/alt-news/featured/putin-decides-donate-50000-tons-russias-coal-daily-ukraine-heat/
Nice to here such news. Salute to Putin
Its pretty bad when the United States government gets to decide when the oil prices drop and rise, who gets to make money at it and when.
I wonder, does anyone else get it that the United States and their unbelievably wealthy are the ones who control the world. They just don’t want us to catch on, propaganda works on the masses when they don’t want to inform themselves.
Why does the United States interfere with everything?!? The majority of Ukraine wants to join Russia! Let them! Doesn’t seem like Putin would ditch them. And we dont even live there. All the US can give is weapons. No real help.
All hail Putin.
The Crimean peninsula only makes harm to the Russian economy, a lot of money collected from taxes go to the Crimea, Russian citizens suffer. In addition, Russian government often forgives debts, donate coal. Ruble in deep shit but russian patriots screams “Crimea OUR!”. I tells, cuz i russian myself. Sorry for bad english.
Married a girl from Russia, her father grew up in Eastern Ukraine. Now we have relatives who are distressed and trying to survive.
The USA has historically been the aggressor in Europe, Asia, the Middle East. Why? Power and wealth. Maybe even jealousy. I’m disappointed in Obama as Democrats usually are less aggressive (though stil not passive).
Russia’s getting allies, this is the method to make them dependant, then soon, maybe few months Russian coordinators can be sent to Ukraine to help keep and coordinate energy supply. Obviously Ukraine is going to need coal to keep it up after the winter. Pure situation we don’t like what you do, we be bite you painfully (Crimea), but we show you it can be good to work with us. It’s not that I’m saying it’s wrong in anyway “Putin” (obviously the People and Budged are going to pay)DID dive the fuel. I’m simply implying that this system was known and pretty visible and clear many and many times in history in tense times. They got angry with each other and there’s going to be display of influence. If this gets too ambitious and there’s an economical war for fucking show off then we’re going to experience something really bad for environment and eventually for us.
What do you think people? THINK, for yourself.