US to Intervene in Ukraine as John Kerry Set to Hold Talks with Opposition Leaders

[Judi Lynn]

Source: International Business Times

US to Intervene in Ukraine as John Kerry Set to Hold Talks with Opposition Leaders

Talks bound to infuriate Russia which warned against any external intervention in Ukraine

By Vasudevan Sridharan | February 1, 2014 09:52 AM GMT

Soon after the Ukrainian opposition groups called on the western world to intervene in the ongoing political standoff, US Secretary of State John Kerry is to hold talks with them.

On the sidelines of the Munich security summit, Kerry will meet the key opposition figures shortly to discuss the situation in Kiev.

Responding to the opposition's appeal, Kerry said: "Our message to Ukraine's opposition will be the full support of President Obama and of the American people for their efforts."

"But we will also say to them that if you get that reform agenda... we would urge them to engage in that because further standoff, or further violence that becomes uncontrollable, is not in anybody's interests."



Read more: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-intervene-ukraine-john-kerry-set-hold-talks-opposition-leaders-1434729

[dipsydoodle]

1. The Ukraine is looking for a bail out to straighten their financial affairs.

Estimated cost over a period of years is c. US$220 billion. http://news.yahoo.com/spurned-president-eu-embraces-ukraine-protest-080514974--finance.html That amount is roughly equal to the entire bailout of Greece.

Presumably that's chump change for the US.

[joshcryer]

3. That's why the Ukranian President changed his mind over $15 billion.

And 1/3rd reduction in (inflated) gas prices. Russia has played it well.

[dipsydoodle]

6. The $220 billion figure

doesn't buy anything. Its a transitional cost applicable only if the Ukraine went with the EU and presumably lost it exports to Russia.

The $15 billion figure, regardless of where it comes from , gets the Ukraine through part of this year only regardless of later outcomes - its for bond repayments and net cost of imports. Their foreign reserves are dangerously low and their own currency is tubing.

[joshcryer]

7. The $220 billion is mitigated by the 1/3rd reduction in gas prices.

Which is why it was so lucrative to begin with. Nevermind that Russia has been overcharging Ukraine on gas to the point where it was profitable for EU states to reimport gas into Ukraine.

[dipsydoodle]

8. It was Yulia who agreed the gas price 2009

which at the time matched Europe's price. I assume Europe's price was then reduced. Ukraine wasn't being overcharged - it was the agreed price. Its offset anyway by transit fees which have a few more years to go until South Stream bypasses the Ukraine. Under the new price structure the govenrment will lose less - they sell gas to consumers at below cost at present.

[Judi Lynn]

9. Thanks for throwing some light where it's needed. Very helpful.

[joshcryer]

2. One of the opposition was literally crucified.

Had part of his year cut off. When I say "literally crucified" I mean they literally nailed him to a cross.

Ukranians with Russian accents are going around kidnapping protesters and torturing or killing them.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Ukranians with Russian accents

Is that eastern Ukrainians as opposed to those in the west of the country ?

[joshcryer]

5. Yep.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/abducted-ukraine-protest-leader-found-tells-friends-he-was-crucified/2014/01/31/85b97574-8a85-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_story.html