There are definitely reports of angry organized Russian groups derailing train cars carrying weapons and troops. A figure of 80 incidents was mentioned. Putin was proud of finally getting this 100 year project finished. It goes across the Kersh Peninsula which leads to Russia on the south side of the Sea of Azov. I did some research on the whole bridge project.
I have a negotiating proposal for getting Russia out of Crimea without a lot more fighting and destruction. Allow Russia to rent it’s current port facilities after all their warships, airplanes, military supplies, and soldiers are removed, and then permit use for commercial shipping. This would answer Russia’s desire for a warm water port and provide income to Ukraine. Also allow Russian tourists to cross the bridge with paying a modest toll. Currently there is none. Many Ukranians have left Crimea, and many Russians have moved in. Legal measures to correct ownership would be and important part of any settlement.
Of course Russia should leave Crimea and all other occupied locations in Ukraine. However, offering Putin some credit for bringing this project to completion might sooth his ego enough to allow civil negotiations. This is the longest bridge in Europe. It has 4 traffic lanes and 2 rail lines. It took more than a hundred years of off and on planning and negotiating to get it built. Prehaps Putin could be persuaded to negotiate in order to get public credit for doing one good big thing in his lifetime.
Just a thought. Other negotiating ideas needed too.
What about the idea for Americans to leave Texas and generously donate all their property to poor Mexican families?
Ukraine ping
gleeaikin: [There are definitely reports of angry organized Russian groups derailing train cars carrying weapons and troops. A figure of 80 incidents was mentioned.]
Segments of EU pols are clamoring to normalize ties with Russia. The moment he pulls out, those voices will gain strength. You might think I’m being too cynical. As Lily Tomlin once opined - no matter how cynical you get, it’s never enough to keep up.
The only real credible military threat is if Putin reconstitutes a working army in Belarus and attacks Kyiv again to relieve pressure in the East and South. But I don't see how he can arm and train a large enough force. The Ukrainian army is now much better trained and equipped than it was, and if Putin tries that, I don't think they will hesitate to use artillery and rockets against Russian bases in Belarus. I also think Lukashenko is delicately trying to extricate himself from Putin's war.
What you are proposing is essentially the agreement that was already in place prior to 2014 - except that Russian warships also had free access.
No, sorry... Only solution is to remove Putin.
Regards,
> Of course Russia should leave Crimea and all other occupied locations in Ukraine. <
It is worth noting that Crimea was a part of Russia for 150+ years until Khrushchev simply gave it to Ukraine on a whim. That was in 1954.
Now, the occupied areas in Ukraine, that’s a different story. Russia does not belong there. But I see no way of making them leave the annexed eastern regions. Perhaps the best solution is to broker a deal where Russia pays a huge amount of money to buy the land they already occupy. Then the war ends.
However, if I were Ukrainian I would find that scenario to be very distasteful.