As Winter Approaches And Energy Bills Go Through The Roof, Will Their Be More Of A Desire To Negotiate With Russia Over Ukraine?

[dave50]

I think the public's enthusiasm for standing up to putin will wain when it comes to energy bills, most will want peace in the hope prices will come down, whatever the political cost. Keeping warm or supporting Ukraine, it will be a no brainer I'm afraid.

[dave50]

Sorry 'there'

[davebro]

I don't think it matters much what the public think - and the 60 odd quid per month will soon kick in to help with energy costs.

[ToraToraTora]

No

[Hopkirk]

Absolutely no, it would just embolden Vladimir to keep trying to recreate the USSR.

[Paul22118]

It would also help if the UK media kept televising Ukrainian issues such as bombed homes, injured citizens, homeless refugees etc.
The problem must be kept alive in our minds. Putin must lose this one.

[ichkeria]

Russia’s war in Ukraine is only one reason for soaring energy bills if course.
But taking the matter of Russia’s reliability as an energy supplier, that was in question before the current war as the gas supply was squeezed in the months leading up to it.
Surrendering to that sort of blackmail now, tempting tho it might be for some, ie a nonstarter as it will write up a load of problems for the future. We need to break the dependency and take the pain.
On the matter of “negotiating”, you have maybe not noticed, but there’s not really any scope for that in this war: it’s fight or surrender. And I don’t just mean Ukraine

[jno]

you might be right, dave50. People put up with a lot of privations during WW2, but that was their own war for national survival. When push comes to shove they may feel less kindly towards Ukrainians.

I don't know how this might affect government policy, if at all, but if you get a government in trouble desperately trying kneejerk responses to every change in public opinion...

[tomus42]

I hope not. At least Europe now sees the danger of relying on a country like Russia for it's energy.

They were always likely to use the gas supply as leverage for something or other, so it's good that countries are looking to reduce that reliance as much as possible.

[Gromit]

I doubt it.

UK Energy bills were going up before Russia invaded in February. Russia lowering supply to Europe has put the price up, but the UK is less reliant on foreign energy than Germany.
For the past couple of years we have generated more energy from renewables than gas. We import very little electricity, and that should be the only time we are paying more for our energy.
In short, the I don’t think the public blames Russia for their high bills.

And even if they did, no thinks they could influence our Government to sort out the war, we they can’t anyway.

[Ellipsis]

Ukraine is not putting the prices up, otherwise the French would be paying more too ...

https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/French-energy-bill-cap-will-not-cause-2023-price-rise-says-minister

Strange that EDF is putting its prices up by a lot more here in the UK than it is in France, don't you think ...

[FatticusInch]

Nope, I reckon the West have got to wait for Putin to pop his clogs and hope the next head honcho is a tad more sane.
Fingers crossed.

[jno]

I saw some figures, which I can't now locate, saying Britain relied mostly on the North Sea for energy most of the year, but quite a lot more on Russia over winter. We got away unscathed last winter because the invasion came late; this year I suppose it's a matter of waiting to see what Santa Putin plans to charge for his presents.

[Old_Geezer]

I can't speak for all but hopefully all the intelligent ones, when I say, "NO!".

No nation can afford to buckle under a little hardship. The consequences are too great. And past generations knew that, no reason the present ones won't.

Only a fool takes up a stance on moral grounds while knowing they don't intend to be steadfast while the goal has still to be reached. It is a "no brainer" indeed.

[Old_Geezer]

"Strange that EDF is putting its prices up by a lot more here in the UK than it is in France, don't you think ..."

More fool past UK governments for allowing vital utilities to be bought up by other nations.

[mushroom25]

Has Jeremy Corbyn got a point - and a possible solution?
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/aug/02/jeremy-corbyn-urges-west-to-stop-arming-ukraine

[FatticusInch]

I can understand his frustration and oddly his stance in a way but his plan fell down when he mentions using the UN.
They’re about as much use as a handbrake on a canoe.

[FatticusInch]

Plus it’ll take a supreme diplomat with extraordinary skills to get Putin to change his plans without looking like he’s lost face.

[Untitled]

i don’t think so no… public anger is far more likely to be directed at profiteering energy companies… and rightly so.

[ichkeria]

“ Has Jeremy Corbyn got a point”

No

It’s scary to think he might have been PM

[Untitled]

it is difficult to see what more “effort” could be put into peace considering what has happened… anything less than complete russian withdrawal will set a precedent for rewarding aggression unfortunately…

russia cannot afford the war indefinitely and even if they won every battle (which they have not!) do not possibly have the resources to hold ukraine indefinitely… Putin is going to bleed his country white… eventually some kind of ceasefire will come about and i don’t think ukraine will give in first… they’ll fight with sticks if they have to!