Hardball

As the evidently manufactured “dispute” between Russia and Belarus about energy prices is played out before a credulous Europe, the Washington Post comments on the resulting disarray:

Western governments are watching Mr. Putin’s hardball tactics with concern; yesterday they called for an immediate resumption of supplies through the Belarusan pipeline. They do not, however, have a policy for countering the Russian threat. Even the members of the European Union cannot agree among themselves on whether to appease Russia — by offering new long-term contracts and capital for investment in oil and gas projects — or push back, which they could do by insisting that Mr. Putin sign an international “energy charter” that would curtail his monopolistic practices. The attack on Belarus ought to rule out the appeasement option.”

(via CH)