Posted on 03/01/2014 6:10:55 AM PST by kronos77
Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the country’s senators to approve sending Russian troops to Ukraine to settle the situation there. Russian MPs have said that the turmoil in Crimea could allow for such a move.
Earlier on Saturday, the speaker of the Russian State Duma Council Valentina Matvienko said that the current circumstances in Ukraine make such a move possible.
The final decision to send troops to Crimea lies with President Vladimir Putin as Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, speaker of the Russian State Duma Council Valentina Matvienko said. The current circumstances make such a move possible, she said.
“It’s possible in this situation, complying with a request by the Crimean government, even to bring a limited contingent of our troops to ensure the safety of the Black Sea Fleet and the Russian citizens living on Crimean territory. The decision is for the president, the chief military commander, to make, of course. But today, taking the situation into account, even that variant can’t be excluded. We need to protect the people,” Matvienko said.
The Russian government has so far been careful in its assessment of the new self-proclaimed Ukrainian government in Kiev. Matvienko said the reason for that was Russia counting on its Western partners, who vowed to guarantee the February 21 agreements between Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and the opposition.
“Russia did not interfere in the situation in Ukraine for a very long time and showed restraint, assuming that the Western states, which became backers of the agreements, would see that strict compliance with the deal is observed,” she said.
However, after “violent upheaval” took place in Ukraine, the Western states did not come up with “any reasonable measures or responses,” Matvienko said.
(Excerpt) Read more at rt.com ...
No, not really. He doesn’t follow our own laws much less some treaty or memorandum with another country.
But....if we DO have legal obligations to defend Ukraine, this will damage our reputation even further.
Muslims are at most about 1% of Ukraine's population. Ukraine's ejection of Yanukovich has nothing to do with Islam. In contrast, Muslims are not only 10-15% of Russia population - Islam is one of Russia's official religions.
As to the tactics, the demonstrators include veterans of the Soviet Afghan War, members of Ukraine's version of the ROTC and draftees who have served their time (due to a universal military draft for males who come of age).
Right. /s
If they get a few billion in cash and equipment per year, they will beat the Russians. If they don't, they are gonna lose. But Stepan Bandera gave the Russians a run for their money back in the 40's and 50's, his was a shoestring operation with no support from the state. I expect the Ukrainians will give a good account of themselves even if they have to fight with no outside material aid. Still, it would be a pity to appease Russian imperialists.
Sir Tony Brenton, who served as British Ambassador from 2004 to 2008, said that war could be an option 'if we do conclude the [Budapest] Memorandum is legally binding.' It promises to protect Ukraine's borders, in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons. Kiev has demanded the agreement is activated after insisting their borders had been violated. In response Mr Brenton said in a BBC radio interview: 'If indeed this is a Russian invasion of Crimea and if we do conclude the [Budapest] Memorandum is legally binding then it's very difficult to avoid the conclusion that we're going to go to war with Russia'.
Honestly, that sounds very lawyeresque.
Putin will also play it that way. He'll say that the "elected" government of the Ukraine is in Moscow asking him to protect the Ukraine. The Brits and the Americans AT BEST will take that and say that they'll await "new elections" before making a decision.
They might just agree that the turmoil over who is the legitimate government ties their hands so far as the treaty is concerned.
That's my opinion. I also think that in any war with Russia that Russia is a capable enemy, and that it won't be like walking over top of the Iraqis.
I agree with your analysis, xzins. We will likely do nothing. But our reputation will be further tarnished.
No, going to war with Russia is not something we are likely want to do. But, financial/humanitarian aid, possibly other “stuff” the Ukranians might need in the event of a complete Russian invasion?
There are other ways to support the Ukranians.
How thoughtful.
Very true. Quite a few people here follow “but Crimea is populated mainly by Russians, let's give it to them” line, they are forgetting that pre-WW2 Hitler's demands were also “rational” in some way. Sudetenland was mainly German speaking, as was Danzig/Gdansk. In 39 Germany could easily strike a deal with Poland If they offered for example machinery, transfer of technology and trade deal in exchange for Danzig and ex-territorial transit to East Prusssia. But 1. They offered nothing 2. It was clear that after they get what they want, they will demand more, more and more. It's the same in case of Crimea.
“what country will be our Poland?”
Likely Estonia and/or Latvia. They have large Russian minorities and although NATO members, there's no significant western military presence and even no serious plans what to do when they are attacked. It's enough to arm a few hundred local Russians, tell them to seize some buildings of administration in a few towns (claiming self-defense against discrimination) and then immediately send a few thousand “peacekeepers” waiting ready near the border.
I agree with most of what you’ve said but think back to Georgia. This is the same plan. Breakaway republics. Russia leaves Kiev alone, most of the Ukraine but separates what they want and nobody will do a thing about it except maybe the Ukrainians themselves.
Who is most likely to help? A few nations like the Czech republic and Poland? Germany? France? Never.
The US budget to bring democracy to Ukraine is over 5 B. The deepest memory hole in history is covering up the Euromaidan revolution. American Media censors facts to control the mushy minds of TV viewers. The media will evaporate when they are nuked in the night by Russia. If Israel is nuked then we are next.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.