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To: annalex
You're arguing technicalities. Even if “agents” from the RF leave Crimea, the vast majority of the population of the area wants to be part of Russia. Second, even if the RF recognizes the current Ukrainian government, the government in Kiev is faced with the problem of governing an area with a disaffected population that wants to be part of another country.
What sort of discussions? Do you think these discussions would change anyone’s mind? How long would these discussions last? Don't you recognize that the longer this issue drags out, the greater the possibility for violence? And if mass outbreaks of violence occur in Crimea, don't you think the Russians will intervene? In any event, the government of Ukraine has a far greater problem than Crimea, and that is the disaffection of eastern Ukraine - as well as its numerous economic problems. It simply is incapable of solving all three; its best to let Crimea go - after all, the area is not part of historic Ukraine - and concentrate on those problems it can solve. The longer Kiev fixates on Crimea, the less its chance of remaining a unified state.
Whatever the Constitution says, it simply doesn't matter anymore. Ukraine is not in a situation where the solutions are constitutional.
And you know as well as I that Russia will never allow Ukraine to join the EU, no matter how much I or you or anyone may wish it. Russia would view that with as much hostility as the US would have viewed Mexico or Canada seeking to become part of the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War. This is simply an existential matter for Moscow, such as the possibility of Iran having functional nuclear weapons is for Israel.
100 posted on 03/24/2014 8:17:50 AM PDT by quadrant (1o)
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To: quadrant

I am arguing reason and legality.

At this point we don’t know what the Crimeans would want, because the referendum was likely rigged and lacked every logical option. Besides, what they will want needs to be reconciled with the Constitution of Ukraine.

There is such a thing as civilization. When one country behaves like it just came out of a bear cave, that country does not belong to the civilized society; it should be isolated and encircled by NATO bases. What that nation would feel a hostility about is irrelevant there, till such time that they sober up and sit down and negotiate.

I don’t care where Crimea ends up. It may very well end up in Russia. The only way for Crimea to self-determine is to do so legally and slowly, and under international observers.

It is not in the national interest of any country of the West to allow the annexation of Crimea. If it is not dealt with resolutely, we are going to have a far worse crisis within a year. Crime that is not punished repeats.


114 posted on 03/24/2014 6:02:51 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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