Spain: Ukraine Support Costs and Inflation Debate
Forum users debate if aiding Ukraine drove up energy and food prices, citing Spain's 6.80% inflation in 2022.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The Real Cost of Supporting Ukraine: Inflation and Bills
A user opens the thread with a complaint summarizing widespread discontent: "We care so much about Ukraine and its nationalism that we will drag ourselves through the mud due to our politicians' decision to sacrifice us so it is called Ukraine and not Russia." From there, the exchange shifts to a discussion on whether European support for Kyiv has increased the cost of living on the continent. The majority response does not deny the price hike but disagrees with the diagnosis. One participant summarizes: "Europe is not going hungry or cold, nor will it. Gas reserves for winter are already at 100%." The discussion thus becomes a clash between those attributing rising prices to the war and those arguing the trend started earlier.
How Much Did the Shopping Basket Really Rise?
The initial message estimates the increase at "1500% for gas and 30% for food prices." Towards the end, different data appears: "Inflation in Russia 2022 = 10.65%," "Inflation in Europe 2022 = 10.70%," and "Inflation in Spain 2022 = 6.80%." This comparison disrupts the initial narrative: the aggressor country and the sanctioning bloc ended the year with nearly identical figures. Another message lowers the Spanish figure: "If basic foods in Spain rose by 7%." The discussion does not reach an agreement on which item weighs most on the wallet, but makes clear that the narrative of European famine does not fit the data being used.
The Argument That the Rise Started Before the War
One intervention points directly to the calendar: "Inflation and electricity, etc., began rising much before the war." Another message adds a political accusation: "Thanks Sánchez for making the lobotomized people of the country believe all price increases are due to the war in Ukraine." The quote attributes to the Spanish Government a communication strategy shifting responsibility from Moscow to a phenomenon with earlier roots. Meanwhile, an external reference slips in: the French Minister of Economy allegedly cited Spain as an example of energy mismanagement, with bill hikes of "60%, 70%, 80%" compared to France's "4%." The data, attributed to a foreign authority, reinforces the thesis that the problem is not solely geopolitical.
Energy Dependence and Submission to Washington
Another line of the exchange shifts focus to transatlantic relations. "Proud and rich Europe will lose its pride and wealth because it is not free; we depend on orders from USA," argues one message. The idea that Europe acts as a subordinate to Washington runs through several interventions, referencing the Marshall Plan and the status of "puppet." The response from the other side is quick: "Russia lost both; it made Europe start a race to avoid Russian-origin energy." The exchange leaves an uncomfortable conclusion for both sides: energy dependence was a structural problem before any war.
Who Pays the Bill?
The conversation moves to the personal level. A participant describes their situation: "I work remotely and have neither heating nor air conditioning, so if the butane bottle goes from 17 to 25 I don't care." The reply trinc immediately: "Sure buddy, as long as you're fine, screw everyone else." The exchange reveals a generational and class fracture within the discontent itself. Another message relativizes the impact: "In the 80s, loans were at 20% interest, buying a TV cost more than a month's salary." The historical comparison argues that the current generation is not worse off than previous ones, though the objection comes fast: "And a house was bought in 10 years."
The exchange closes, several years after opening, with a message asking: "How many dead from cold are there in the EU? Is gasoline already at 3 EUR?" The answer received is not what was expected: "In the EU, thanks to climate warming, there will be fewer deaths from cold." Irony closes the circle. The winter of energy collapse announced never peine as described, and the disruptive data is not victims, but Spain's 6.80% inflation staying below Russia's.
A user opens the thread with a complaint summarizing widespread discontent: "We care so much about Ukraine and its nationalism that we will drag ourselves through the mud due to our politicians' decision to sacrifice us so it is called Ukraine and not Russia." From there, the exchange shifts to a discussion on whether European support for Kyiv has increased the cost of living on the continent. The majority response does not deny the price hike but disagrees with the diagnosis. One participant summarizes: "Europe is not going hungry or cold, nor will it. Gas reserves for winter are already at 100%." The discussion thus becomes a clash between those attributing rising prices to the war and those arguing the trend started earlier.
How Much Did the Shopping Basket Really Rise?
The initial message estimates the increase at "1500% for gas and 30% for food prices." Towards the end, different data appears: "Inflation in Russia 2022 = 10.65%," "Inflation in Europe 2022 = 10.70%," and "Inflation in Spain 2022 = 6.80%." This comparison disrupts the initial narrative: the aggressor country and the sanctioning bloc ended the year with nearly identical figures. Another message lowers the Spanish figure: "If basic foods in Spain rose by 7%." The discussion does not reach an agreement on which item weighs most on the wallet, but makes clear that the narrative of European famine does not fit the data being used.
The Argument That the Rise Started Before the War
One intervention points directly to the calendar: "Inflation and electricity, etc., began rising much before the war." Another message adds a political accusation: "Thanks Sánchez for making the lobotomized people of the country believe all price increases are due to the war in Ukraine." The quote attributes to the Spanish Government a communication strategy shifting responsibility from Moscow to a phenomenon with earlier roots. Meanwhile, an external reference slips in: the French Minister of Economy allegedly cited Spain as an example of energy mismanagement, with bill hikes of "60%, 70%, 80%" compared to France's "4%." The data, attributed to a foreign authority, reinforces the thesis that the problem is not solely geopolitical.
Energy Dependence and Submission to Washington
Another line of the exchange shifts focus to transatlantic relations. "Proud and rich Europe will lose its pride and wealth because it is not free; we depend on orders from USA," argues one message. The idea that Europe acts as a subordinate to Washington runs through several interventions, referencing the Marshall Plan and the status of "puppet." The response from the other side is quick: "Russia lost both; it made Europe start a race to avoid Russian-origin energy." The exchange leaves an uncomfortable conclusion for both sides: energy dependence was a structural problem before any war.
Who Pays the Bill?
The conversation moves to the personal level. A participant describes their situation: "I work remotely and have neither heating nor air conditioning, so if the butane bottle goes from 17 to 25 I don't care." The reply trinc immediately: "Sure buddy, as long as you're fine, screw everyone else." The exchange reveals a generational and class fracture within the discontent itself. Another message relativizes the impact: "In the 80s, loans were at 20% interest, buying a TV cost more than a month's salary." The historical comparison argues that the current generation is not worse off than previous ones, though the objection comes fast: "And a house was bought in 10 years."
The exchange closes, several years after opening, with a message asking: "How many dead from cold are there in the EU? Is gasoline already at 3 EUR?" The answer received is not what was expected: "In the EU, thanks to climate warming, there will be fewer deaths from cold." Irony closes the circle. The winter of energy collapse announced never peine as described, and the disruptive data is not victims, but Spain's 6.80% inflation staying below Russia's.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (137 replies).
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