Posted on 03/03/2014 11:17:50 AM PST by kronos77
MOSCOW, March 3 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned as “unacceptable threats” comments made by the US Secretary of State John Kerry over possible Russian military action in Ukraine. The Russian parliament granted a request from President Vladimir Putin to authorize deployment of military forces in Ukraine on Saturday. In a series of public remarks over the weekend, Kerry called the move a "brazen act of aggression" and threatened Moscow with devastating economic and political consequences. “We consider there are unacceptable threats against Russia in the series of public statements by Secretary of State John Kerry in connection with the recent events in Ukraine and Crimea,” the ministry said in a statement. "Without bothering to grasp the complicated trends underway in Ukrainian society and to gain an unbiased insight into the situation that continues to deteriorate after the violent seizure of power by radical extremists in Ukraine, the Secretary of State continues to employ Cold War clichés by suggesting punishment of Russia instead of those responsible for the state coup.” The statement continued: “Washington also ignored that Kiev’s newly established regime trampled on the February 21 [reconciliation] agreement, signed by foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland, and formed the “government of winners” that de-facto declared a war on the Russian language and everything Russian.” Russia called on the US and its allies to stop encouraging nationalist and anti-Russian initiatives by Ukraine’s new leadership and focus on a dialog and mutually acceptable decisions for the pro-European west and pro-Russian east. “It’s evident that existing threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity originate solely from an internal political conflict. Its settlement requires an absolutely different approach from our partners,” the ministry said.
(Excerpt) Read more at en.ria.ru ...
I love the little dance going on here. Kerry is pretending to be serious while Russia is pretending to take him seriously.
The Crimea is Russia's REAL "red line." Note I said Crimea, not Ukraine.
Crimea was part of Russia for over 200 years, since the 1780s, until Nikita Khrushchev literally gifted it to Ukraine in 1954 in order to purchase the support of their party bosses during his accession after the death of Stalin.
Before Russia, it belonged to the Ottoman Empire, now defunct. Before that, it belonged to the city-state of Venice, going back to before Columbus discovered America. But the Crimea was NEVER part of Ukraine, until Khrushchev’s unilateral “gift."
(Imagine if President Eisenhower, as a dictator on his own, gave Long Island and NYC to Connecticut as part of an internal United States political deal to secure CT’s critically needed support during a contested election or coup. That is how Crimea became part of the Ukraine.)
In 1954, the political gift of the Crimea was an internal USSR matter, not an international matter. Ukraine was then the Ukraine SSR, within the USSR. In 1991, the USSR broke apart, and Khrushchev’s personal gift suddenly mattered. But despite the gift and the fluke that led Crimea to become part of the modern sovereign nation of Ukraine, Crimea has always been 90%+ ethnic Russian, and as always, it contains Russia’s most critical naval bases, air force bases and sea ports.
In fact, Crimea is far more Russian than Hawaii is American. It’s foolish and naïve to believe that the Russians will risk losing the Crimea during a period of chaos in greater Ukraine.
If you want to see Russia's REAL "red line," threaten their control of the Crimea, and its naval bases and seaports. I'm not supporting Russia's position, I just want folks to know that this is a much more complicated picture than "Evil Russia invades poor innocent Ukraine," which is the kindergarten/MSM version of Crimean history.
I’m sure the Russians have some interesting information on Kerry dating back to Viet Nam and the Paris Peace Accords. Just remember who the power was behind the Viet Cong.
I am utterly confused as to who side to favor. As a patriotic US citizen I am really supposed to sound my support for Kerry? I was recently in Russia and I was at a complete loss as to how to explain what my country was doing.
Watching Putin is like watching your fiercest sports rival play an outstanding game. You hate the outcome but you cannot help admire how they played the game.
Sorry Travis, too much history and common sense, you must be a Communist Russia sycophant, and Putin lover.
Wouldn’t you love it if a Russian diplomat slipped Kerry his KGB file, and hinted that it might go to FOX news if he didn’t get in line.
No fan of Putin, but I wish he would issue a statement like: “Look America, if you wanted an intelligent, competent, mature adult President you should have elected Sarah Palin.”
The Russians have piles of information on Kerry, Obama and anyone in DC with any political power. Lots more than the American people do.
Yeah, I’m a secret FSB/KGB agent.
Nailed it. Consider making that a standalone vanity post.
LOL
I (almost) believe you. ;-)
Everytime someone speaks history common sense, the fools accuse you to be a spy or worse.
It happens to me all the time :)
Yep, Putin is a tyrant and everything but he's manly, decisive and competent - qualities America hasn't seen in a leader for a while. You can't help but be impressed and envious.
Putin: So Barak, I raise and call.
Let’s see what ya got!
My general rule these past few years is that if Obunghole is for something, I need to oppose it.
“I’m not supporting Russia’s position, I just want folks to know that this is a much more complicated picture than “Evil Russia invades poor innocent Ukraine”
Yes, considering that the vast majority of those in Crimea and eastern Ukraine don’t want to be a part of Ukraine anyway and would much rather be a part of Russia. The scores of Russian flags and the singing of the Russian national anthem should be a clue to the West.
I just disapprove of Kerry, FULL STOP
I hear you. What exactly would the US bring to Ukraine that would be worth fighting for? Homosexual agenda, global warming nonsense, abortion, confiscatory taxes, infinite federal regulations and rules...
The Russians I know long for a US style society and government that unfortunately no longer exist.
Did you know that I served in Vietnam .... ?
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