Well, my colleague Liz, now in the UK informs me, the price for a litre of gasoline is now, in the UK, in Australia Dollars, $3.75.
Which is what we can expect here as time goes past the 6 month of the Federal Government excise subsidy here.
So, that's a lot!
As for how this will play out across Europe...and the UK, it will get higher in price, as will travelled food etc, and a lot higher.
This is the European Summer so no great pressure on heating oil/gas fuel etc yet...but that will come as the seasons change towards winter there.
Without Russian oil/gas, Europe will freeze and also have to pay exorbitant amounts for a bit of fuel from other countries, who will, wow, certainly make a killing profit.
So, what does this mean to the Moral Decision regarding the Ukraine?
1: Will the West/European Governments allow and make stricter the current embargoes on Russian stuff, or do they wish to actually stay in power? These are real politicians, not the Ethical Masters of the Universe.
2: Will there be a massive world recession without Russian gas, or a big but managed one, with it? Will more dodgy democracies fall, as Sri Lanka has already?
How much money will Europe keep pouring into the Ukraine, for weapons, rebuilding etc...when even under its current populist Zelensky Government, it remains still the most corrupt state/government in Europe, and yet our heroes?
Prior to winter, I would suggest that the EU will make a gesture of acknowledgment that Russia has/owns/controls/moderates the Eastern Provinces of Ukraine as their own, and Europe will put the brakes on the Ukrainian military, and Russia in response will enable the export of grains etc from the South sea ports, & turn on the gas to Europe, thus preventing the collapse of Europe and a further grain/famine decimation of the nations of Africa and Asia, etc.
I doubt Mr Putin will suddenly become a nice guy...as it hasn't happened so far...nor can he be in any way 'contained' by the West regarding his changes to the wobbly/plasticine Ukrainian Eastern provinces and borders, mostly full of Russians anyway.
So, I would expect a reasonable resolution, all Ethics aside, certainly before the snows of winter in Europe.
