UK going to have to pay some of Ukraine's gas bill!

The Ukraine owes Russia billions in unpaid gas bills and the plan will be for the IMF and the EU to pay for it! Given the UK's role in the IMF this means the UK will be forced to pay hundreds of millions to pay for Ukraine's gas

The plan being formulated by EU will involve the IMF, EU and World Bank all paying for oustanding gas bills which will be part funded by the UK

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/11/ukraine-crisis-oettinger-idUKV9N0MP00J20140411

So should we pay for Ukraine's gas when millions of Brits can't heat their homes!

If the alternative is having Ukraine dominated by Russia, then we should pay them. Russia must be contained.

Are people aware that IMF loans are just that. loans. They get paid back.

*Loans with crazy conditions and pre requisites.

Got to feel for the Ukrainians once this loan is finalised, wonder how the economy will cope.

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If the alternative is having Ukraine dominated by Russia, then we should pay them. Russia must be contained.

To the two bits in bold: evidence, please?

If i could bang home any point it would be this.

As much as people may dislike the EU as an institution it is in our interests for Ukraine to not be at behest of Russia. Not only is Ukraine a potential consumer market but politically and strategically Russia is a potential threat to our interests. They have shown time and again that they do not have the same respect for values that the Anglosphere and Europe has, they are not one of us.

So why dont we just economically smash their economy back to the stone-age?

I would strongly support that and indeed i suspect that we'll ramp up sanctions with the US at some point. Unfortunately we've got a good decade before Germany and Poland will be free enough of Russian gas to join the fight.

I would note that capital flight alone from recent events is suspected to have put Russia back into negative growth in Q1.

The Russian economy was weak before all this started- they are VERY vulnerable. Plus its summer-time so Germany and Poland shouldnt need too much gas right now anyway.

They need to think long-term- make Russia weak.

One good thing to come from all of this at least is that the us and Poland will frack as much as we can.

Why do people like you ask for evidence for the most obvious of statements? Is it because you're a leftie, don't like what Ace has to say and you just pull out the "where's the evidence?" card when you dont have a logical point to argue it?

What evidence do you need for millions of British people cant afford their gas bills- oh beyond the fact Labour have pledged to cap the price of global energy market for 2 years!?

Not sure if you're fishing or just daft. You bashing someone for being a leftie in regards to a point about people not affording their heating...as if this is something a leftie isn't arsed about?

The two crucial factors in the 'heating' debate - greater welfare provision (particularly for the elderly) and interference in the capitalist free market to influence energy prices - are absolute cornerstones of a left wing ideology.

Back on topic, your view is childish and simplistic. The Nigel Farage school of policy. It's not like having a fiver in your pocket and saying 'Ah no, if I give this to the homeless feller I can't afford lunch'

Surprisingly, the operation of the world's 6th largest economy is slightly more complex than that, and foreign aid (or loan as they would be in this case) on the one hand do not mean money is being taken out of the pot with 'reserved for winter fuel allowance' on the side of it.

Ridiculous assessment.

Why do people like you ask for evidence for the most obvious of statements? Is it because you're a leftie, don't like what Ace has to say and you just pull out the "where's the evidence?" card when you dont have a logical point to argue it?

What evidence do you need for millions of British people cant afford their gas bills- oh beyond the fact Labour have pledged to cap the price of global energy market for 2 years!?