Ukraine was a part of the USSR but there was a falling-out and they decided to do their own thing. AFAIK the Ukraine still owes Russia zillions in unpaid gas bills but a big problem is that Russian gas destined for Western Europe is piped across the Ukraine hence can be siphoned-off. Until new pipelines are constructed which avoid the Ukraine the problem will persist. There is also the Chernobyl problem.
The jetliner problem was unfortunate but note that the higher class airlines were making long detours to avoid the war-zone. Incidentally a similar incident occurred near the Straits of Hormuz some years ago so it looks like a case of the kettle calling the pot black.
Personally I think that the west needs to desist from annoying Russia as these days the big problems are terrorism and piracy. The part of the Ukraine that was annexed allegedly has a Russian speaking population, 95% of whom regarded themselves as Russian. Note also that Kiev introduced a new law that banned the speaking of Russian! It takes two to tango.
I haven't been to France for a long time but I recollect that there were plans to charge very high taxes on foreign owners of second homes. The tax on beer was increased and suddenly France is no longer the dream destination for the English.
For British people who had hoped to retire to France the withdrawal of the Winter Heating Allowance is yet another disincentive. Incidentally the way that the UK government calculates the average temperature of France beggars belief as most sane individuals would regard the calculations as Fraud and False Accounting.
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Almost 50% Increase In Americans Renouncing Citizenship Because Of FATCA
Ukraine was a part of the USSR but there was a falling-out and they decided to do their own thing. AFAIK the Ukraine still owes Russia zillions in unpaid gas bills but a big problem is that Russian gas destined for Western Europe is piped across the Ukraine hence can be siphoned-off. Until new pipelines are constructed which avoid the Ukraine the problem will persist. There is also the Chernobyl problem. The jetliner problem was unfortunate but note that the higher class airlines were making long detours to avoid the war-zone. Incidentally a similar incident occurred near the Straits of Hormuz some years ago so it looks like a case of the kettle calling the pot black. Personally I think that the west needs to desist from annoying Russia as these days the big problems are terrorism and piracy. The part of the Ukraine that was annexed allegedly has a Russian speaking population, 95% of whom regarded themselves as Russian. Note also that Kiev introduced a new law that banned the speaking of Russian! It takes two to tango.
French Government On Brink Of Collapse
I haven't been to France for a long time but I recollect that there were plans to charge very high taxes on foreign owners of second homes. The tax on beer was increased and suddenly France is no longer the dream destination for the English. For British people who had hoped to retire to France the withdrawal of the Winter Heating Allowance is yet another disincentive. Incidentally the way that the UK government calculates the average temperature of France beggars belief as most sane individuals would regard the calculations as Fraud and False Accounting.