[Rocky Mountain Mama]

"I've been posting translations about the Ukraine on this site for almost six years. You probably did not notice these during your four weeks on the site."

Sorry, man. I have been to the Ukraine and have friends there, but didn't live there like you. So I recognize you are the expert here. Can I ask you one question, this is something I don't understand. If neither of these men will make one bit of difference, then why are one million people in Kiev protesting the election? I am not asking this to be a smart ass, but because I really don't understand why people are so fired up if the results don't matter. Sorry if you have explained this already; if you could just post the link, I would appreciate it.

[struwwelpeter]

I'm no expert either, and I hope and pray that the situation resolves itself and that 'the best man' becomes president. Too bad he wasn't running.

But a question for you: why does it matter if Russia looks out for its interests in the Ukraine? When George Soros, Jacques Chiraq, the EU and UN all support someone, I'm inclined to lean the other direction.

Myself, as an American I'm PO-ed at Putin for North Korea, Iran and Iraq. I've translated anti-Putin articles here from Anna Politskovskaya, and helped set up the anti-Putin web pages for the Burbans at nordostjustice.org.

As a former analyst, I believe that all data needs to be evaluated.

This is why I can converse in a friendly fashion with both Tapthesource and Marmema. Even in the same thread ;-)

Personally, I can understand where Russia is coming from on this. Ukraine is too close to home to allow instability. It's their Mexico, except that ten million ethnic Russians (try) to live there, in the Ukraine's most depressed territories.

My worry about Russia moving on the Ukraine is that China will 'misunderestimate' this to mean that they have a green light in Taiwan.