A lot of politics was being played. |
A sudden jump from... low energy prices to world energy prices can cause quite a violent squeeze on the economy. |
I've been talking about bringing down the ring-fence for five years, so any delays now wouldn't be surprising. |
In the past, Russia used its military to project influence internationally. Now the agenda has changed. Energy has become the way Russia projects its power. |
In these negotiations, Russia holds all the cards. They have the energy, and the U.S. needs it. |
It really is some kind of misplaced patriotic pride. |
Russia will not have many friends, but it has established the importance of its position and the potential influence in energy policy. |
When a market is rising because the supply of funds is greater than the supply of assets, it is difficult to say when the ride will end. |
When it comes down to it, it is a net positive. But there are so many more important things. |