Will Russia use "Lawfare" to pave the way for an invasion of Eastern Ukraine?

Powerline ^ | 3/17/2014 | John Hinderaker

[lodi90]

My assumption has been that Vladimir Putin’s threatening moves against eastern Ukraine are merely a bluff; that Crimea is what he wants, and that he plans to draw back from an invasion of eastern Ukraine while retaining control over Crimea, thereby allowing President Obama’s Team of Nitwits to pat themselves on the back and claim a draw in their confrontation with Russia.

But the text that follows, written by a professor at a Ukrainian university and forwarded to us by a reader, paints a more dire picture. If this sophisticated Ukrainian observer is correct, Russia likely will be able to persuade a Ukrainian court to declare the current government of Ukraine illegal, paving the way for a Russian occupation of the eastern portion of the country. Further, these events may unfold quickly, beginning day after tomorrow.

[mac_truck]

I personally find it refreshing that the ‘commie thugs’ are using their legal system and relying on their Constitution and the law to get rid of the illegitimate puppet government in Kiev.

[Peter ODonnell]

Pretty soon Bill Gates may be able to see Russia from his house.

[Graewoulf]

BTTT !

[Girlene]

but we can't support a coup one month and then pretend the following month's counter-coup is somehow illegitimate.

The Russians are executing an invasion, not your typical "counter-coup".

[Timber Rattler]

Even if the Ukraine government is found illegitimate, russia has no right to invade a sovereign country.

Just like Iraq?

[mac_truck]

Even if the Ukraine government is found to be illegitimate, Russia has no right to invade a sovereign country.

If the radical government in Kiev is found to be illegitimate (and it is), than the old elected government is still the legitimate authority. Russian actions can be presented as being taken at their request.

You'd like to believe that things like Constitutional law and democratic process still matter to the West. But after listening to Victoria Nuland on the telephone casually discussing which unelected opposition leader the US wants to put in charge in Kiev, over the objections of the European Union's choice, I'm not so sure.