Posted on 03/01/2014 1:01:41 PM PST by Jim Robinson
When Moscow tells us that their massive military maneuvers in Western Russia have nothing to do with what’s happening in Kiev it’s like the old Marx Brothers’ routine: Who are you going to believe, me (Moscow) or your own eyes?
Puh-leez.
In fact, while not a major military incursion by Moscow, the ongoing power plays in Crimea manifested in the presence of yet-unidentified, armed Russia-loyalists at two airports could be an ominous harbinger of things to come.
First, Moscow is signaling strength to Kiev, reminding their western neighbor that Mother Russia is a force to be reckoned with. You Ukrainians may be able to change your government—against Russian wishes—but you can’t change your geography.
“Location, location, location” doesn’t just apply to real estate, it matters in geopolitics, too.
Russia is also flexing its muscles at the Europeans and the United States. Moscow is cautioning the “West” that the “East” won’t brook any foolish attempts to bring Ukraine into a European or American sphere of influence.
Remember that the ongoing crisis was precipitated last November when Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich scuttled a trade pact with the European Union in exchange for a competing economic package from Russia, leading to months of street protests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also wants to make it crystal clear that Russia considers any thought of trying to bring Ukraine into NATO a complete non-starter. Indeed, it’s a move Moscow might even go to war over.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
weakness will always invite aggression
I figure it this way; if Russian tanks stop at the east bank of the Dnieper River, fine. After all, that part of Ukraine is heavily Russian.
If the tanks are in Lviv (right on the Polish/Ukrainian border), there could be a big problem. Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania - all of whom share a border with Ukraine - are all NATO member states.
Poland is getting nervous right now. And Lithuania and Latvia are set to invoke Article IV of the NATO Treaty, and I suspect Poland is going to add to that chorus real soon.
During the Olympics, I wrote that after the concluding ceremonies, Russia would move into Ukraine.
Putin, in my view is trying to reestablish the former Soviet Union.
Given the effeminate, metrosexual POTUS we have, Putin knows he can get away with anything. He is now working toward establishing military bases in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
No one ever acted against Reagan, once they took his measure.
One thing we can all be certain of, whatever the outcome in the Ukraine, the current occupant in the White House will act or fail to act in order to inflict the maximum harm to American interests.
To understand what is going on here one must know that it wasn't a trade pact, but an Accession Ageement. It contained a lot more than trade; energy policy, security and military cooperation between the EU and Ukraine etc.
From Russia's point of view a trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU would have been bad enough but this was just much worse. I do not imply that what Putin has done (is doing) is correct, but given the scope of the agreement one would have expected the EU foreign ministers, Obama and Kerry to have understood how important this would be for the Russians and acted accordingly.
Sorry, the latter was a bad joke.
SB
I believe this is about saving face, Russia can’t allow Ukraine to leave without something in return, especially, The Crimea, that if not for Khrushchev trying to make nice with the Ukrainian subjects he ruled over at Stalin’s behest, would not have even belonged to it in the first place.
Best case scenario a new deal will be worked out allowing Ukraine to join EU/NATO in exchange for ceding The Crimea back to Russia.
Now if they can’t make that deal, we’ve got problems.
bottom line -— obozo is a little twinkie and putin knows it
In this corner we have Barack "Yapping Fool" Obama, and in this corner, the challenger, Vladimir "The Tiger" Putin.
You can bet other nations in the region have also taken Obama’s measure.
Weakest President in my life time, and I’m older than dirt.
I could see that; Russia gets the Crimean Peninsula, yeah....Ukraine gets a little butthurt, but as a consolation prize, they get to join up with the EU and NATO.
Crimea is Russia’s #1 concern; I doubt they care all that much about the rest of Ukraine, beyond lip service. But Crimea is do-or-die for Russia.
And like you said, if that deal can’t be made, then look out. That’s when TSHTF.
I don’t know why they care who the Ukraine cozies up to. How does it harm them? How does it affect Russian interests? It’s not like the Ukrainians pose a military threat to the Russians or for that matter any threat of any kind. I guess I just don’t think like an imperialist.
Remember what happened in Egypt. If Putin can keep up the pressure without allowing the situation to become a hot conflict he can just wait for the EU and IMF to very soon dismantle what is left of the Ukrainian economy. (They have done such a great job with Greece, Spain, Hungary etc etc.) Eventually there will be a new upheaval and that will be that.....
Are there any doubts at all that the US inspired these protests to escalate to a violent overthrow of a government?
If the Ukrainians are foolish enough to give their sovereignty away to the EU that’s their business. I don’t want Ukraine joining NATO. That’s writing a check we can’t afford to cash.
And the fact is, this should have been nipped in the bud back around 92-93.
Yes I know they signed an agreement, but anyone with half a brain would know Russia would never give up on trying to get back The Crimea. Yeltsin was just too drunk to care.
I hear you, but the point was to give Ukraine the freedom to make that choice, or not.
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