The European Union is not a charity.

[Dondilion]

A great article by one Daniel Bruno.
http://rt.com/op-edge/ukraine-russia...-conflict-425/

But then one should ask the question: Is Russia a charity?

[merrylander]

The EU is a mistake, you cannot have a common currency and separate central banks, one would think that would have dawned on them by now.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by merrylander

The EU is a mistake, you cannot have a common currency and separate central banks, one would think that would have dawned on them by now.

WTF you cannot print your own currency.

[donquixote99]

To whom does that 'you' apply? Central banks 'print currency.' It's sort of a defining characteristic of central banks.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

To whom does that 'you' apply? Central banks 'print currency.' It's sort of a defining characteristic of central banks.

The individual country loses the "printing currency" tool.

[Dondilion]

BTW I believe Putin has blundered here.

Putin is handing over significant assets, which Russia in the last twenty odd turbulent years had accumulated, to a country of which key parameters he has no control.

At least in Russia he was able to bring the oligarchs who flourished under
Yeltsin under control. They now have to pay taxes and learn to stay out of politics. He has also brought the NGOs under tight management. The NGOs being controlled by outside forces can undermine and overthrow governments with their contrived demonstrations.

Ukraine is run by oligarchs. They will probably just eat Russia's money.
And significantly in Ukraine the NGOs are on the loose......notice McCain was on the podium.

[piece-itpete]

Nah, Pootie sees an opportunity to expand mother Russias' power probably cheaply from his view.

Pete

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Nah, Pootie sees an opportunity to expand mother Russias' power probably cheaply from his view.

Pete

Russia is a country trying to find its economic footing it needs to nurture its assets and stop attempting to play the super power role.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

To whom does that 'you' apply? Central banks 'print currency.' It's sort of a defining characteristic of central banks.

Central banks also set the currency's value, and as anyone should know it variies from nation to nation. As it should so that each nation manages its own economy. So poor Greece was screwed from the gitgo..

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Central banks also set the currency's value, and as anyone should know it variies from nation to nation. As it should so that each nation manages its own economy. So poor Greece was screwed from the gitgo..

Correct!

The EU has a template for every country in trouble.

In Portugal recently they have attacked the pensioners.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/f...sion-cuts.html