EU: You can't use our payment system anymore
Russia: OK then, if you want something from us, you will have to use our payment system then.
EU: That's blackmail!!!!!
Gotta love the logic here
Do you not understand how contracts work? They're frequently used to bankrupt people and countries when the terms are violated unless there's reason to allow renegotiation of the terms. Do you think it possible that waging war might be considered a reason to be unforgiving with the terms?
Do you not think before imposing sanctions some numb nut may have clicked this may become an issue?
@puff and they may well have thought that it would have worked to their advantage in screwing over someone, or there may be some other hidden benefit or pressure applied to someone else. It's the way contract law works. The same objections could be raised for prenups etc. Contract law is a classic example of doing your due diligence beforehand and if you don't predict the circumstances which screw you then you lose. It's not fair, it's not nice, it's not just it's not moral or ethical, but it is legal
Rubles are as valueless as Monopoly board game money.
I did not realize just using a different font style would do that thing it did there.
Of course no one wants them.
The contract was in dollars. Not rubles. That's how business is conducted.
But as Russia is banned from using and trading in dollars now yet countries still want their resources, wtf did our esteemed leaders think was going to happen?
Russia is trying to get around the EU's sanctions by trying to force payment in rubles for Russian gas. (Those sanctions are completely justified. Russia invaded a European country, and is carrying out a bloody genocide there.) The EU refused to render its own sanctions toothless, so Putin retaliates by threatening to cut off the EU's gas supply. In other words, Putin is trying to extort a capitulation from the EU. Another word for extortion is "blackmail."
Putin's blackmail is apparently not going to work. The EU is not buckling. They are prepared to do without Russian fuel. This is a good thing for two reasons: (1) Putin will be deprived of an important revinue source, making it more difficult for him to realize his imperial fever dream of denying the Ukrainian people of their right to exist. And (2) cutting off the gas supply will spur movement toward green energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal energy. We are hurtling toward a climate catastrophe, and this will help us avoid a global disaster. Gotta love it!
You are exactly correct, Flyingsaucersir!
Agreed! Well, all except that avoiding a global disaster business. That's not possible.
@ChestRockfield Okay, call me an optimist
There is even a sun farm* along I-26 in the middle of SC, of all places.
Some hope to be found.
*solar panel array
@BufftonBeotch Yay!