But who is taking the biggest hit? Targeting Russian banking sector by blocking them from using SWIFT has hit Russia hard but sanctioning Russian energy has proven to be counter productive if not downright stupid.

The whole world is now paying the price for reckless Western policies. In my view we're approaching a turning point (coming winter), when people in the UK and EU can no longer pay their heating bills and people in poorer nations start to croak. EU "progressives" will have no other choice than start negotiating with Russia.

who is taking the biggest hit ? why is that even relevant ? I would treat Russia as reverse Brexit. We kicked them out of the international community (its fine they will have their own alternative community) and they are suffering. we are suffering too since having them in was profitable for everyone. now times are getting tough, but thats only for those poor people that lets face it, the big boys never really cared about. yes global recession but life goes on. countries have had depressed economies for a loooooooong time without a material change in views or government strategy.

This post was edited by ferdia on Sep 8 2022 04:20am

It's relevant, who in their right mind would target Russian energy while being dependent on it. It's a colossal miscalculation, Russia made bank this year selling overpriced energy and is now spending that cash buying artillery shells from NK. Can't make this up really.

For EU in particular there's a lot at risk. Cheap Russian pipeline gas cannot be replaced. Natural gas means not only heating / cooking for households but also industry / fertilizer / electricity to name a few. Not even talking about Russian oil / coal / wheat etc etc.

Fair question: What happens when Europeans, used to their comfy lives can no longer pay their heating bills? Will the masses still support reckless "progressive" policies or will the masses take to the streets to protest?

If you piss into the wind sometimes you end up getting it in your face, and sometimes we have to swallow things we dont like, we did buy it after all. This energy crisis was created by our actions and actions have consequences. In terms of masses supporting I stand by the position that most people are too stupid to understand how we got here, cannot join the dots and easily led. france has a history of protesting and maybe would be a good place to start looking if you wan tto see protest marches/votes.

in the meantime i see another aid package from the U.S. 2.7Billion? we are on a train and heading in one direction.

This post was edited by ferdia on Sep 8 2022 04:46am

too many emissions, the greens will send the police to put that out

just saw the gas bills everyone in my hometown received, prices will quintuple in 6 weeks

if that does not cause civil unrest then i dont know what will, millions of people will be bankrupt overnight

Italy used to get 40% of it's natural gas from Russia, no wonder they're hurting

German energy giant Uniper nationalized after 12 Billion loss (!!!) during the first half of this year.