Posted on 03/03/2014 7:32:11 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Ukraine: Russia Delivers 'Assault Storm' Deadline
3:23pm UK, Monday 03 March 2014
Russia's fleet has given Ukrainian forces in Crimea until 3am to surrender or face a military assault, according to Interfax.
The ultimatum, from the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet Alexander Vitko, has a base in Crimea where Russian forces are now in control.
According to the agency, it reads: "If they do not surrender before 5am (3am GMT) tomorrow, a real assault will be started against units and divisions of the armed forces across Crimea."
It comes as Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev discussed the situation in Ukraine with US Vice President Joe Biden by telephone on Monday.
Mr Medvedev "declared that it is necessary to protect the interests of all Ukrainian citizens, including residents of Crimea, and citizens of Russia who are located in Ukraine......
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
Full scale war with Ukraine (if not all of NATO) is still a possibility, and it is a bad idea to leave pockets of surrounded but armed enemy troops behind your lines.
If the Russians threatened Western Ukraine, NATO would not be able to keep the Poles from going in.
Putin does not want to be loved. He wants to be feared and respected, as a world leader and a man you do not cross. Ukraine dumping the Kremlin puppet was a blow to his status and reputation. He had to act to show he is still boss. Syria, Olympics, Crimea are perfectly consistent.
I predict that the US will go to the G8, so Obama can again push the “reset” button with Putin and negotiate more arms reductions. At that time, Russia will have the southeastern half of Ukraine under its control.
For that analogy to work, a Russian conquering of Ukraine would trigger World War III. I don't think that would happen. Ukraine is closer to 1939 Austria.
Biden told him that every mother in the Ukraine had told their kids that if Russia knocked them down, get back up and fight!
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