Kyo wrote:flamming_python wrote:kvs wrote:Testament to the failure of Russian-French relations.
Russia should not yield to any pressure, the Ukrainian authorities must not be allowed to cement their power.
To France, Germany, others.. this will not be acceptable. They thought they had pulled of a fair accompli in the Ukraine. When they didn't, they thought they could pressure Russia. But if Russia is unyielding to pressure - they will continue to lose money; in the Ukraine from having to support the decaying economy, from the food ban, from Russia's rouble devaluation which translates to less Russian tourists and demand for goods, etc... their positions on the Russian market are eroding month by month.
The situation is even more acute in the Baltic states, which depended on Russian tourism, agricultural export to Russia and transit to Russia - all 3 of which are plummeting.
South-Eastern Europe too.. Bulgaria has been robbed of its nuclear plant deal, its transit fees for the gas.. Bulgaria, Hungary and others together have been robbed of the chance for cheap gas supplies.
Russia on the other hand is decreasing its dependence on Europe, and by so doing increasing ties with friendly countries in the Middle East, former USSR, North Africa, South America & Asia; who are providing an increasing share of agricultural produce and other products, and are becoming more attractive tourist destinations.
Russia is also helping its own businesses. Russian agriculture, more than anyone else, is having a whale of a time; although they are wary on increasing production as they don't know how long the ban on European/American produce will be kept. Domestic producers in general - have suddenly become all the more cheaper compared to their foreign counterparts. People are turning more to domestically-produced goods. Russia is taking advantage of the crisis, to fund and boost domestic production and businesses.
Russia is weaving off the dollar, off the VISA/Mastercard payment system, off reliance on loans in Western banks, off North American and London stock exchanges.. who looses from this? In the short-term Russia, but in the long-term the West is cutting itself out of a market completely, and perhaps other countries will follow suit.
Couldn't agree more. Don't think I'm sufficiently proficient in French, but I think it's fait accompli and not fair accompli. Maybe a typing error.
It is fait accompli indeed, a 'done deal'; just made a typo.