Ukraine

[niemeyjt]

The US in particular has been interfering in Ukraine since 2014 and the CIA fomented regime change and the resultant issues in all the areas that did not agree with it.

But yes, this opportunity for putting a load more weapons into a potential war zone has not been missed.

Not sure I would put it entirely at the door of Boris and another dead cat though - the US and CIA are driving it not the UK I feel.

[manonthemoon2]

I watched a couple of interviews on BBC breakfast this morning, one was with a teacher from the UK who said he wasn't overly worried, life continued as normal and for now he was staying in Ukraine.

The second interview was with a Ukranian, she said pretty much the same.

It reminds me of when I was in the Middle East, when the 2nd gulf War started. My family wanted me to return home because of what they were hearing via the media.
Apart from American military and a lot more planes, we really didn't have the same hype as UK, and remained with life carrying on as normal.

[manonthemoon2]

Having just seen the BBC news with a family trying to leave, it begs the question why aren't the foreign office assisting with getting people out? Confused

[exile]

They dare not send in military transports for fear of being seen to provide military aid and worse getting military personal directly caught up in conflict if it all kicks off while they are on the ground and gathering in those with UK passports.

I doubt that they can easily find commercial lines who want to risk their planes either. These days most planes are leased and I am sure there will be a lease clause about flying into or over a conflict zone. If not leased then similar will apply to the insurance policy.

The vast majority of routes into and out of Kiev's major airport - Borispol (I kid you not) - are with Ukraine International Airways so there is already a significant hesitancy in flying in. [Remember Ukraine has been at war since 2014 so is already technically in part a war zone.]

[niemeyjt]

And remember also that the separatists in the east have already brought down one commercial plane by mistake.

[Bayleaf]

Not sure I would put it entirely at the door of Boris and another dead cat though - the US and CIA are driving it not the UK I feel.

Entirely agree - bj just sees an opportunity to get involved, if it's of any benefit to him, which it probably is. It just seems like the US and the UK are making the most noise about it.

[rsm]

Is the threat of war keeping oil prices high thus filling the coffers of both sides?

[niemeyjt]

Well, Russian sanctions might impact supply and increase oil prices - although I would be more concerned about gas prices - especially if the transit lines through Ukraine are somehow affected.

Meanwhile, Ben Wallace (UK Defence Secretary) is increasing tensions by equating those trying to negotiate a diplomatic solution to Neville Chamberlain and his appeasement of Hitler at Munich in 1938.

[exile]

Gas and oil prices have a pretty strong link. If gas goes up, so will oil.

The reasons are many but for starters:
Oil and gas are energy sources: an increase in price of one will cause some companies to switch to the other so driving up prices of the alternative.
In many countries the prime gas supply is as a result of refining oil and cracking its refined products.

So sanctions will impact on oil prices

[exile]

If this does end up getting nasty then my personal main concern would be cyber security.
So make sure your computer security is up to date and that your wallet is stuffed with the appropriate currency.