Docile Washington stands aside as Russia sets up puppet state in Ukraine

National Post ^ | Feb. 19, 2015 | Washington Post, Special to National Post

[rickmichaels]

Vladimir Putin’s latest victory in Ukraine is turning into a rout. Having already induced Western leaders to endorse a peace plan that virtually guarantees continued Russian control over parts of two provinces, the Russian ruler ordered a large Ukrainian force holding Debaltseve, a key crossroads in the region, to surrender. His forces, including regular Russian army troops, then assaulted the city in brazen violation of a cease-fire. On Wednesday morning, Ukrainian forces withdrew from Debaltseve under fire, suffering a devastating defeat that will further destabilize the shaky Kiev government of Petro Poroshenko.

Mr. Putin was so pleased that he indulged in some taunting of the Ukrainians. “Of course, it’s always bad to lose,” he said at a news conference Tuesday. “It’s always a hardship when you lose to yesterday’s miners or yesterday’s tractor drivers.” That was another lie, of course — the forces who seized Debaltseve were not former Ukrainian workers but Russian regulars; one Western reporter encountered soldiers who had been dispatched from Siberia.

What about Western leaders, who just last week solemnly declared they would hold Russia accountable if the new deal were violated? All agreed there had been, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman put it, “a massive violation” of the cease-fire agreement. But there was little visible movement toward imposing meaningful consequences. Instead, officials in Brussels echoed a White House statement that said “the costs to Russia will rise” if it “continues to violate” the agreement. That suggested only that additional aggression by Mr. Putin would get a response, maybe.

[old curmudgeon]

So they learned nothing from the 1930’s.

The only difference today is that this time they are on the opposite end of the field.

Putin is running a sequel to Hitler's story.

[Jim Noble]

Putin is running a sequel to Hitler's story

Maybe.

If Hitler had stuck to his "near abroad" (Austria and Bohemia/Moravia/Galicia) the story would have had a different ending. But Hitler was driven by strange pagan and racialist ideas and did not, probably could not, avoid the trap to the East.

Putin (so far) hasn't produced work like Mein Kampf and his aggressive instincts seem to be focussed on his peripheral, former client, states.

It may be true, as you say, that Putin:Russia as Hitler:Germany, but he hasn't revealed a Russian master race theory as of yet.

[old curmudgeon]

But his tactics are the same.

Bring the water to a boil slowly so the lobster knows not his future.

[Jim Noble]

But his tactics are the same

Yes, his tactics are the same and his insight about Western leaders is, as well.

What's at issue are his objectives.