[Goose]

IMO this discussion of who will "own" some of Ukraine's natural resources is bizarre. Even if the US and Ukraine reach an agreement, what prevents Ukraine from effectively refusing permission to develop them inside Ukraine? "Yes, you can develop them, but the freight rates to the (by then free and "secure") Ukrainian border will be pretty high. So will the taxes". Any agreement between Russia and the US in this regard is even more absurd. If Putin occupies Ukraine, why would he honor such an agreement? What is the US going to do? Sue him? If we won't go to war with Russia to protect Ukrainian sovereignty we certainly aren't going to do so over some undeveloped mineral resources in Ukraine.

There are a lot of serious issues involved and THIS is what is being discussed as "important". Bizarre.

[Goose]

IMO this discussion of who will "own" some of Ukraine's natural resources is bizarre. Even if the US and Ukraine reach an agreement, what prevents Ukraine from effectively refusing permission to develop them inside Ukraine? "Yes, you can develop them, but the freight rates to the (by then free and "secure") Ukrainian border will be pretty high. So will the taxes". Any agreement between Russia and the US in this regard is even more absurd. If Putin occupies Ukraine, why would he honor such an agreement? What is the US going to do? Sue him? If we won't go to war with Russia to protect Ukrainian sovereignty we certainly aren't going to do so over some undeveloped mineral resources in Ukraine.

There are a lot of serious issues involved and THIS is what is being discussed as "important". Bizarre.