Posted on 02/18/2015 8:40:39 PM PST by Greetings_Puny_Humans
VLADIMIR PUTIN’S latest victory in Ukraine is turning into a rout. Having already induced Western leaders to endorse a peace plan that virtually guarantees continued Russian control over parts of two provinces, the Russian ruler ordered a large Ukrainian force holding Debaltseve, a key crossroads in the region, to surrender. His forces, including regular Russian army troops, then assaulted the city in brazen violation of a cease-fire. On Wednesday morning, Ukrainian forces withdrew from Debaltseve under fire, suffering a devastating defeat that will further destabilize the shaky Kiev government of Petro Poroshenko. Mr. Putin was so pleased that he indulged in some taunting of the Ukrainians. “Of course, it’s always bad to lose,” he said at a news conference Tuesday. “It’s always a hardship when you lose to yesterday’s miners or yesterday’s tractor drivers.” That was another lie, of course — the forces who seized Debaltseve were not former Ukrainian workers but Russian regulars; one Western reporter encountered soldiers who had been dispatched from Siberia. What about Western leaders, who just last week solemnly declared they would hold Russia accountable if the new deal were violated? All agreed there had been, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman put it, “a massive violation” of the cease-fire agreement. But there was little visible movement toward imposing meaningful consequences. Instead, officials in Brussels echoed a White House statement that said “the costs to Russia will rise” if it “continues to violate” the agreement. That suggested only that additional aggression by Mr. Putin would get a response, maybe.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
All I could think of would be to prevent NATO from parking at their doorstep. In past ages they'd have wanted Ukraine as a food supply but the future of farming looks more like aquaponics every day and I don't see any other reason for it.
If only Yanukovych had not assumed dictatorial powers for himself, and fired on those thousands of people protesting against it, your friend might still be in office.
In Minsk on February 12, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko waived passports of Russian soldiers caught or killed in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s propagandists immediately scoffed at such “political comedy,” but Poroshenko’s display showed that Russia is waging an undeclared war, using regular troops with regular Russian military equipment to destroy a weaker army, while claiming it doesn’t have any troops in Ukraine. Even more convoluted, Putin has asserted that any Russians fighting in Ukraine are idealistic unpaid volunteers over whom the Kremlin has little influence. Putin even insists that “Russia is not a party to the conflict,” just a bystander.
Putin is practicing the Big Lie, and much of the world believes it.
Western news media and diplomats readily adopt Kremlin language. They speak routinely of “rebels, Russian-backed insurgents, separatists, and Ukrainian civil war,” rather than of Russian tanks and missile launchers manned by regular Russian troops, or of Russian generals directing the field of battle, or of Russian military-intelligence forces storming Donetsk airport. Editorial offices throughout the Western world caution: We don’t have 100% proof, so let’s hedge our bets and go along with Putin-speak.
Putin’s Big Lies–no troops and equipment and no influence over separatist allies–are the foundation of his undeclared war on Ukraine narrative. Unwittingly, the Western press, diplomats, and pundits have played along due to their hesitancy to call a spade a spade.
Europe And U.S. Finally Declare That Russian Soldiers Are Fighting In Ukraine, Forbes, February 17, 2015.
I highly doubt Poland is shaking in any boots. They’re not the same Poland from 1939.
Putin is already in bed with Iran, and arguably his support to Assad allowed Syria to stay in turmoil long enough for ISIS to move in and fill that void.
You won’t be happy until Putin restores your beloved Soviet Union. You’re a no nonsense Putinista. I’ll give you that. You’re never embarrassed by Putin’s lies and applaud his brutal means, like a quisling or Lord Haw-Haw.
Nice. /s
Welcome to FR, troll.
>> A Russia-ISIS Coalition could be in the works <<
Russia was the country that objected to the United States handing Syria over to ISIS; Had it not been for Russia’s support of the Orthodox Christians under Assad, ISIS would rule Syria already and have exterminated the entire Christian population.
Also note that Egypt started getting firm with ISIS immediately after Russia signaled she had their back by letting Egypt into their economic union; Obama still regards the Egyptian government in contempt since they got rid of the government of Obama’s beloved anti-Christian genocidal Muslim Brotherhood.
Oh stop with the strawmen.
Do you have ANYTHING besides childish name-calling??
“In Minsk on February 12, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko waived passports of Russian soldiers caught or killed in Ukraine.”
Passports that he refused to let anyone see or verify.
After a YEAR of this hysterical, Orwellian crap, few still buy it, which is Ukraine’s biggest problem.
And you are a glaring example of it.
Stop being Putin’s cheer leader. Become an American.
lol...
The “Wrap yourself in the flag” BS again??
That’s hilarious...
I’d rather be wrapped in the American flag than like you, wrapped in Putin’s flag. But then you’re proud to be a fan of his.
I suppose at least your are not throwing poop at each other or comparing penis sizes.
Seriously, Russia has a 140 million people... they don’t have the manpower or economy of China. Russia is like a loud barking poodle compared to China. I’m more concerned with a billion Chinese and a billion Muslims than I am with Russia.
Russia is struggling to maintain relevancy in the 21st century, much as France has been. They are likely to become like a remora, attached to the dangerous shark that China is becoming.
Heck, Europe would probably be better off if Putin conquered them than Muslims. At least French and German women wouldn’t be up on auction blocks being sold into sex slavery for 100,000 dinars.
I didn't make that claim, you ascribed it to me of your own volition.
" Yes, we do have an interest if a large, nuclear armed country with a totalitarian government starts conquering countries." - Could you not assign that same logic to Boko Harum? ISIS? What does nukes have to do with it?
I suggest we have an interest ONLY where we have a strategic cultural or commercial interest. Especially when we risk tripping an existential war with a nation at nuclear parity.
I've noticed you've stopped posting from RT (at least overtly), are you heeding your own words?
“I’d rather be wrapped in the American flag than like you, wrapped in Putin’s flag. But then you’re proud to be a fan of his.”
To you, “Proud Fan” is anybody that doesn’t swallow, without question, the Orwellian BS coming out of the White House, and Kiev’s ministry of Truth.
Save it, kid.
By the way, one of your hero Right Sector Maidan Snipers was captured by the rebels in Debaltseve. It took them a few hours to realize who he was, but Twitter sure figured it out fast. He was on the Video of captured Ukies that was talking to the LNR’s Deputy commander.
Comrade, what instructions did your handlers give you today for posting on American Conservative website? How hard was it to stop ranting about capitalism and start ranting about American flag, comrade?
Lol....
Check you Euromaidan Propaganda Handbook for that one, did you, kid??
Now say your three Bandera Ahkbar’s, and go to bed.
“Kid?” I’m older than you, Putinista. I remember when you and your Soviet buddies were pulling the same Putin crap in the Cold War. The difference was, you Putin lover, I was on the American side then. I still am. You were a Soviet then and a KGB/FSB plant now.
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