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Pro-Russian forces storm Ukrainian base in Crimea

33 Comments
By ADAM PEMBLE and YURAS KARMANAU

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33 Comments
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Good-bye Taiwan, good-bye Balkans, good-bye Okinawa. The USA will not oppose any new landlord because it cannot do anything but rattle the financial swords. However, the USA fortunately has avoided the black hole of wars in other countries while the EU and NATO just wring their hands.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Crimea is gone. Today's move is like a period at end of sentence to Crimea.

But I tell you that Russian movement against eastern Ukraine will meet a firm response from the West and the NATO.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

If you want to go fight for Kiev, be my guest. My kids will stay home for this and all wars. It's all rigged game, no body is right when everybody is wrong.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Here's the funny thing I never quite got about this whole affair. Russia always says that those guys inside are "not from their Army". I don't think a lot of people believe them, but that's not really important - as long as Russia says they are not theirs, they are acting without government support. Why does the Ukraine not at least try an armed response to evict these "armed militants" to protect their precious sovereignty. It would be hard for the Russians to protect them or make complaints after they said "They aren't ours", so the risk of escalation is minimal.

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Good-bye Taiwan, good-bye Balkans, good-bye Okinawa. The USA will not oppose any new landlord because it cannot do anything but rattle the financial swords. However, the USA fortunately has avoided the black hole of wars in other countries while the EU and NATO just wring their hands.

Crimea is a bit of a special case, though isn't it? Ukraine was neither a NATO or EU member, and didn't benefit from defense pacts in the manner that, say, Japan does. You also have the fact that a majority of Crimeans seem to want to be part of Russia. I think that makes a big difference. If the Crimean people were (literally) up in arms over the takeover, I think you'd see a different result.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

TriumvereMar. 23, 2014 - 01:23PM JST

Crimea is a bit of a special case, though isn't it? Ukraine was neither a NATO or EU member, and didn't benefit from defense pacts in the manner that, say, Japan does.

I hear you. Putin was very calculating from the beginning and took an advantage of this situation.

Speaking about Japan, I strongly believe this is a great opportunity for Japan while Putin's military troops are all focusing on Ukraine. Japan needs to restart negotiating with Putin for a return of all Northern Islands back to Japan. They do not belong to Russia. We cannot trust current gas exploration deals with Russia. All these deals have to be discarded. Instead, Japan needs a clear cut You cannot deal with devil. Japan needs to push this diplomacy aggressively while Russia is under economic sanction. That's how I see a trouble of Crimea as an opportunity for Japan. Do it!! And take no prisoners!!

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globalwatcher Crimea is gone.

Crimea is a integral part of Russia Joined to Ukraine during Soviet era

But I tell you that Russian movement against eastern Ukraine will meet a firm response from the West and the NATO.

Sorry guys - what are you talking about ? What is it East Ukraine ?

Some regions of East Ukraine - 100 % russian speaking and identifying themselves as Russian

For example wach videos on youtube from Donetsk - east Ukraine city

crowds of people screaming " Russia Russia !!"

and only Russian flags ...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Olegak: Some regions of East Ukraine - 100 % russian speaking and identifying themselves as Russian

Excited about a possible invasion? ;)

0 ( +2 / -2 )

SuperLib Excited about a possible invasion? ;)

1 About invasion and invasions : Iraq Serbia Libya Afganistan ????? Syria, Iran ???

2 Today Ukraine - typical failed state :

Huge debts , empty treasury , growing negative trade balance

falling exports, rising debt, close plants...

But worst of all - political collapse

No legitimate power at all

Before West supported putsh (21 February ) living standarts were 3 time less than in Russia

and less than in China...

Today : there will be no salaries to state employees

no pensions or social benefits

no money in the budget

This is Africa my friend

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Russia has brought large military contingents to areas near the border with eastern Ukraine. Putin has said there is no intention to move into eastern Ukraine

Putin has said . . . Yeah, right, like he said there was no intention to annex Crimea. It is crystal clear that what this man says today will take an entirely different shape tomorrow.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

presto345 . It is crystal clear that what this man says today will take an entirely different shape tomorrow.

Hm - what about chemical weapons in Iraq ?

Still seaching ?

Western Leaders NEVER lie

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Hm - what about chemical weapons in Iraq ?Still seaching ?Western Leaders NEVER lie

Olegek, I like your posts, and respect your pro-russian support, but does the Iraq debacle justify Putin actions in any way? Think before you hit the vote-down button - not that I care. Oh, and in case you forgot, like Putin himself:

at his press conference he said he was not considering the option of Crimea rejoining Russia

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Hmm, it was the people of the Crimea who voted for cessation. That was their choice, and they seem content with it. Now, other areas also seek to distance themselves from the current Kyev. It stands to reason that Putin would accept them. The west are up in arms that they now have the weaker influence with the people in the affected areas.

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presto345 Olegek, I like your posts, and respect your pro-russian support, but does the Iraq debacle justify Putin actions in any way?

No but this is prove that we are not living in perfect world

Oh, and in case you forgot, like Putin himself: at his press conference he said he was not considering the option of Crimea rejoining Russia

it was the last chance for Kiev Hunta to step back at least he give them a chance

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Putin is down there with all the other HDP, translations SOBs! Russia is an EVIL country! Sorry, even my RUSSIAN amigos hate their own government! and if RUSSIANS try to PROTEST, like PUSSY RIOT etc..well we all know the KGB leader PUTIN has great plans for his fellow Russians up in SIBERIA!!

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Those who are interested in the Russians in Ukraine can easily read this Wiki page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian Census(2001)

As for the "crowds of people screaming " Russia Russia !!"" - Ukraine is a democratic country and people can go in the streets free. That's not a problem now, there are some pro-russian people in any big country.

Relax! ;)

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Take all the Northern Islands back to Japan while Russia becomes weak under the economic sanctions. Japan does not need negotiation with Putin. They are your land. They are your islands They do not belong to Russia. Russia is a thief and a thug! Discard all your oil and gas exploration partnership plan with Russians. You cannot deal with a thief and a thug as the thief has no moral and principals. Wisdom in history teaches that all deals with devil leaders have been broken at the end.

Move and Do it! Take no prisoners!! Get the Northern Islands back to Japan from hands of Russians!!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Sergyi Snegur

As for the "crowds of people screaming " Russia Russia !!"" - Ukraine is a democratic country and people can go in the streets free. That's not a problem now, there are some pro-russian people in any big country. Relax! ;)

about democracy : even A Hitler take power by elections not by assaulting Reichstag with machine guns and Molotov cocktails So the new power in Ukraine is even worse than Nazi So the Russian population want to run away from this " democracy"

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

OlegekMar. 24, 2014 - 01:59AM JST

about democracy

Russian talking democracy? That's an oxymoron, dear. LOL

One party, one dictator, government controlling economy-communism, no freedom of expression, human rights violations and journalists are disappearing for no reason....I can go on and on. No, please do not insult my intelligence, dear. Thanks.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So the Russian population want to run away from this " democracy"

That's OK, 3 thousand marched today in Odesa chanting "Russia! Russia!". 3 thousand of 1 mil city!.. It's only for them to choose whether they live in new Ukraine or leave for Russia.

Again, it's not a problem, there is no need to run, they can easily buy a train/air ticket to their beloved Russia.

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globalwatcher about democracy Russian talking democracy? That's an oxymoron, dear. LOL

So theoretically in Anglo- Saxon lands it was a huge amount of freedom and democracy

practically it depended of your origin

in Russian Empire all people have the same ( little) amount of freedom

in British Empire some people have a lot other have less ( as Irish people)

other have nothing ( biggest part of colonies population)

it depends

paradoxically Russian are maximalists in this area

the same rights for all the people regardless nationality and social position

Lords in old England had a huge amount of freedom

but not all the people of England were lords ....

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

OlegekMar. 24, 2014 - 02:52AM JST

in Russian Empire all people have the same ( little) amount of freedom

Please tell your Russian friends they are wasting their efforts to come to USA to make their life better. Please tell Russian women to give up their children to US parents, so their children will have a better life. Let them tell you how happy they are to live here USA, not in Russia.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Get over it. What happened in Crimea was a popular revolt against Kiev that Putin took advantage of to protect the Black Sea Fleet. The revolt against Kiev was simmering since the breakup of the Soviet Union. It flared up after the Ukrainian parliament voted on Nov. 24, 2013 to make Ukrainian the country's sole official language, thus quashing the 2012 law which recognized other languages as official in regions where at least 10% a particular non-Ukrainian language. The acting president vetoed the move on Nov. 27, 2013, but it was too late. The damage was done and Putin had made his move.

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to Sergey Snegur That's OK, 3 thousand marched today in Odesa chanting "Russia! Russia!". 3 thousand of 1 mil city!..

You will be surprise , but Ukranian "revolution" (21 February) was made by some thousands of well trained

and well armed & equipped gunmen

not by "Ukrainian People"

It's a West sponsored putsh my friend

main driving force : gangsters and nationalists

It's only for them to choose whether they live in new Ukraine or leave for Russia. Again, it's not a problem, there is no need to run, they can easily buy a train/air ticket to their beloved Russia.

It's exactly what's a Hitler proposed to German Jews after coming to power : to buy a ticket and to leave a Germany

History repeats itself ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's a West sponsored putsh my friend

Well, you got Crimea out of it. So it's not like you lost everything. Sure, the West got Ukraine, but still.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Cannot imagine Jews marching in Munich, for example, in 1930-ies chanting "Russia! Russia!". Though some of those people sympathized Russia and escaped from nazi Germany to Russia but died in Siberia soon as "German spies". It is a pity but Russia is still xenophobic and antisemitic country.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Sergey Snegur Cannot imagine Jews marching in Munich, for example, in 1930-ies chanting "Russia! Russia!"

Yes it was impossible - Russia is not homeland of the Jews

So it would be real strange ...

those people sympathized Russia and escaped from nazi Germany to Russia but died in Siberia

Some of them yes

Like many Jews from Germany were sent to concentrations camps in England

after fleeing from Nazi (German citizen coming to your country during the war ...)

It is a pity but Russia is still xenophobic and antisemitic country.

OK :

1 During 2 WW Russian fight against Hitler

West Ukrainian for A Hitler

Slogan : let's drown the Jews in the blood of Muscovites!

thank God that I am not a Jew not Muscovite !- proclaim Tyagnibock

lider of the Svoboda party ( member of modern Ukrainian government)

2 Today 2-5 millions Ukrainian working in Russia (no jobs for them in Ukraine)

Today Russian fleeing from West Ukraine ( run for your life if you can)

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Today Russian fleeing from West Ukraine ( run for your life if you can)

Well, you have real danger, like when Russian and pro-Russian troops invade bases, fire their weapons, capture soldiers, beat journalists, erect billboards filled with propaganda, take news stations off the air, etc. That's what's happening in Crimea. On the other hand, you have some kind of fuzzy "run for your life from West Ukraine if you can" put forth by some guy on an internet message board with zero reported pro-Russian deaths.

Tough call to make.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Move and Do it !! Take no prisoners!! Get all the Northern islands back to Japan from hands of Russians !!

You should tone down. Japanese are peaceful people and there are no any reasons for them to be so hostile. Before pointing a finger to other nations, please, recall most infamous moments of North American history. FYI, your ancestors stole a land of American Natives. Now they are forced to stay in reservations like animals in zoo. American bases on Okinawa makes Okinawans a kind of guests in their own home. Remember a proverb of kettle and pot.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Crimea is a semi-autonomous region of Ukraine, which means that while it is part of Ukraine’s sovereign territory, it is largely self governed. However, it is also a tricky place politically. We will probably never know if the people of Ukraine ever really wanted Yanukovych out, the politicians should not have acted on their own motives but rather on the will of the people. If the opposition knew they would win new elections they would have waited for the early elections in May and respected the peace agreement. The reason they did not is because there is a great chance that if they did not make a move early, they may not have won. Why should others respect the laws of the constitution of Ukraine and others should not? The problem with the overthrow is that it destabalized Ukranine. That’s the reason they want to keep together, because it could be a chain effect. If one falls they all fall. For the west it would be seen as a loss to Russia, and who cares about the people of Ukraine, its all just one huge geopolitical game between the west and Russia.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Let Russia have Crimea (it was historically theirs anyways), but Russia has no historical right to the rest of Ukraine.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ukraine had a population of about 45 million. With about 8 million ethnic Russians. Putin's just peeled off about 1.5 ethnic Russians in Crimea, east-leaning voters, and pushed thousands of Ukrainians to a more western tilt. What happens if Putin peels off a couple of million more by taking Donetsk and Kharkiv regions?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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