Posted on 08/13/2008 8:29:59 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Ukraine threatened to blockade the Russian Black Sea Fleet yesterday in an act of solidarity with Georgia that risked escalating the conflict.
After flying to Tbilisi to assure Georgians of his countrys support, President Yushchenko signed an order imposing tough restrictions on the Russian fleet, which is based in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol. Mr Yushchenkos decree instructs Russia to give 72 hours notice of any movement of ships, aircraft or personnel in Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities were given the power to alter those plans.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had already warned Russia that it will bar ships from returning to Sevastopol if they take part in military action against Georgia. Moscow responded furiously, accusing Ukraine of a serious new antiRussian step.
Like Georgia, Ukraines pro-Western leadership is seeking membership of Nato in December. The democratic Orange Revolution that swept Mr Yushchenko and Yuliya Tymoshenko, the Prime Minister, to power in 2004 has long been loathed by Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister.
The Ukrainian Security Council issued a statement yesterday declaring that the presence of foreign warships in its waters poses a potential threat to Ukraines national security, particularly if parts of Russias Black Sea Fleet are used against third countries.
Russia and Ukraine are already at loggerheads over the future of the Crimean base, which Russia must vacate in 2017 under a 20-year lease agreement signed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Most of Crimeas population consider themselves to be Russians and are strongly pro-Moscow. Tensions have mounted over calls by politicians in Moscow not to surrender control of the territory, regardless of Ukraines wishes. Mr Yushchenko insists that the Black Sea Fleet must leave on time and that there is no prospect of extending the lease.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Surprise, surprise! I guess Russia just showed us how that idea is supposed to work!
Your comment is worth repeating.
They had a couple from NJ whose two young daughters are in Georgia visiting their grandmother.
It was difficult to watch the segment both parents barely able to contain their fear and heartbreak.
They have been in contact with their children but the children are in a region that requires them to cross over a highway controlled by the Russian. The grandparents attempted to get them to the capital but were turned back by the Russians.
The father implored the American government to send in a humanitarian mission to bring their children home.
He specifically mentioned Chris Smith (R-NJ Congressman) as helping to locate their children. He also asked John McCain if he could help in some way.
If Russia's response to Ukraine is similar to their action against Georgia it's too late.
"For all you hold dear on this good Earth. I bid you stand men of the West.
Exactly. If country A is attacking country B from country C’s territory, then Country C becomes a target for B.
That’s interesting . . . the first I’ve seen of a Sauron/Putin connection. It seems to fit.
OK. Let's do open engagement; I'll play the part of Russia, and I'll go first.
My first move is to take Tbilisi, set up a puppet government, and have that government thank me profusely for saving them and tell you to butt out.
Your move.
Who said:
“We were given a choice between war and dishonour.
We chose dishonour... and, we will get war”.
In the vain hope of preventing further military conquests, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain flew to Germany for consultations with Hitler, and came back with his famous “peace for our time” announcement. Churchill told him, “You were given the choice between war and dishonour . . . you chose dishonour and you will have war.”
Same holds true for talk of NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia.
Russia will not tolerate NATO directly on it's border, they will insist on a buffer zone...and will fight with everything they have to preserve it. Everything.
Is putting Ukraine and Georgia into NATO worth WWIII?
This administration is pursuing a catastrophe.
Ukraine and Georgia are not "buffer zones", they are sovereign democratic nations.
This is the 21st century, Russia should join the civilized world.
We should arm up the Ukraine.
The Ukraine is quite capable of defending itself in a conventional war against Russia. This is precisely why they are getting in Russia’s face.
She has to get the hell out of there now the Chechen are there! Fast! The horde is on the loose.
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