Posted on 03/02/2014 3:10:12 PM PST by annalex
The chorus of international voices urging caution in Ukraine, and above all urging Russia to refrain from military action, have been reinforced by NATO’s secretary general.
“Russia must stop its military activities and its threats. We support Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support the rights of the people of Ukraine to determine their own future without outside interference and we emphasise the need for Ukraine to continue to uphold the democratic rights of all people and ensure that minority rights are protected,” said Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
An overnight phone call between Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin has reportedly only served to underline fundamental differences of position.
This was reflected as well in an emergency session of the UN Security Council, where Russia maintained it was acting to protect its citizens despite the lack of evidence of any tangible threat. And remember, Russia may be talking to its international partners, but refuses direct talks with Kyiv.
Sorry comrade, but someone has to face down your pal Ivan.
>>The latter, by the way, will hurt them like bitch. Their entire existence is predicated on villas in the mediteranean, American college for the kids, and generally acceptance into the Western polite society. Magnitsky law hurt them in the right spot; it should be expanded.
It is probably a nice way to improve a Russian economy. Oligarchs would have to invest at home.
Putin has his warm water port.
5.56mm
A real president would have seen this coming and been at the Olympics to talk to Putin face to face while a team of state department officials worked on a diplomatic solution with both sides.
Right; the aggression certainly helped Putin's credibility at home. Now he has inoculated himself against his country's failing economic performance, because he will write it off on the coming sanctions. That is in the short to medium term.
Would sanctions work for or against Putin in the long run (3-5 years) remains to be seen. Historically, the Russian people rallied to the "king" in tough economic times, except one time when they destroyed the country in the process, in 1917. Maybe this time they can have a 1917 in reverse? The past 15 years or some were generally prosperous, in relative terms, so as that prosperity had generated high ratings for Putin sanctions may turn the population against him.
But I think, if the sanctions take the shape of Magnitsky law, -- denial of visas, plus bank asset freeze, then Putin's own multimillionaire buddies will shoot him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXMqxuccaHI
Polish military vehicles on the way to Ukraine/Polish border. For what purpose, that’s a good guess.
But they’re on the way for some reason.
Yes. Not in the cards with Obama in the Oval Office. But sanctions will work.
Probably there just in case....but they will not allow Russians to get their former lands in Western Ukraine without a fight.
Or what .... We’ll unleash Wesley Clark on em again ?
LOL, I think that pic sums up the whole Ukraine situation in a nutshell.
There may be some men left in Europe, and it is primarily a European matter. Also, sanctions will work against the corrupt and greedy Putin's environment and suit Obama's shape of spine.
This sh---- situation is the direct consequence of six years of appeasement by Hussein.
Not my problem.
If you’re an American, it’s your problem. Putin is a mortal enemy of the entire country, and of the world.
Oh, and by the way, I ain’t yer dang comrade.
Right, win-win.
Generally, prosperous Russia preoccupied with fixing its own home would be best for everyone, including the free Ukraine. Unfortunately the sanctions have a way of hurting the man on the street the most, especially now that Russia imports everyday goods.
Don't worry KGB Putin thanks you for your "I don't care" commentary.
“...If we do nothing, the Baltic states will be next...”
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And this effects me and my family ... now how is that again?
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