Posted on 03/21/2014 5:23:04 AM PDT by goldstategop
MOSCOW, March 21. /ITAR-TASS/. The term 'annexation' cannot be applied to the process of Crimeas reunification with Russia, says Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
When our foreign colleagues use the term 'annexation', I tell them, Ask your spokespersons and press services to take videos from Crimea, where residents of the peninsula demonstrate sincere joy from the accession to Russia, he said. It is impossible to play this, impossible to rehearse, impossible to stage-manage this joy, this true happiness (of the Crimeans)," Lavrov added.
The statement on the 'annexation' of Crimea is an insult to the residents of Crimea, Lavrov went on to say at a meeting at Federation Council on the ratification of the agreement on the accession of Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation. So, when against this background the terms like annexation are unjustifiably used, I believe that it is an insult to the citizens, encroachment on their inalienable rights to the expression of will that they have fully exercised, Lavrov stressed.
Russia could not give up assistance to brotherly peoples in Crimea, Lavrov continued.
The present Ukrainian authorities did not leave another chance to Crimea. Russia could not refuse to positively react to brotherly peoples request, the foreign minister said.
Sanctions are irrational
Sanctions against Russia are irrational, they create obstacles to normal contacts, says Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. He stressed that sanctions "have no future."
They (Western partners) know that these sanctions are absolutely unjustified. These sanctions will only create barriers to normal contacts and normal communication, he said. They are absolutely irrational," Lavrov stressed.
Contacts with Western partners take place every day, Lavrov said. Frankly speaking, they produce an ambivalent impression. On the one hand, they take place against the backdrop of sanctions and announcement of different lists. On the other hand, we are told that all this does not mean that the West does not want to cooperate with us in searching for a political settlement to Ukraines crisis. Nobody should be persuaded that we are ready for this. From the very beginning we have called for a political settlement.
Russias proposals on the settlement of the situation in Ukraine are still relevant, Lavrov noted.
It is very difficult to dispute them because they are based on the agreement of February 21 (on the settlement of the crisis in Ukraine), the Foreign Minister stressed.
Of course, rather evident inconsistency of our Western partners' behavior recently supplemented with a feeling that they are at a loss to some extent do not help us at different stages of our contacts, Lavrov said.
Russia will laud any inter-parliamentary contacts with Ukraine, Lavrov noted.
We dont seek to break relations. We have to live nearby Ukrainian neighbors, and inter-parliamentary relations play a positive role, the Foreign Minister said. However, the foreign minister has urged Ukraine to get rid of radicals in the country.
We're not going to see this crisis go away swiftly, that is for sure.
Jeepers. Now we have the Russians lecturing us about the English language.
A victor can afford to feel magnanimous.
Russia is assuring every one no further relation is planned.
Maybe he should try German.
Anschluss works pretty good.
Yeah, I remember them saying that in ‘08, also.
He is correct, it is not an annexation. It is a conquest and appropriation of territory. But then it is also a result of Ukrainian stupidity for expecting the US to honor its treaty obligations. That didn’t work for South Vietnam. It certainly won’t work now.
Maybe he should try German. Anschluss works pretty good.
Yeah right.
“ Russia Threatens Latvia with Sanctions”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/75937.stm
“Estonia Next? Russia “Signals Concern” For Its Citizens In The Baltic Republic
They would have forced us to kneel before King George and pay him damages and penalties for the effrontery of declaring our independence.
ITAR-TASS News Agency
Ukraine’s debt to Russia makes $16 billion - Russian PM
http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/724759
And Russia can call in those debts.
It has plenty of levers to squeeze Ukraine even without a war.
Military invaders forced a referendum under the gun and there was no option on it of remaining in Ukraine and we are supposed to pretend it was legitimate?
No.
The West doesn’t have to recognize it. But its done and there is no point in picking a fight with Russia over it.
Bottom line: we opened the door in Kosovo, and we did it with war. The Russians have pulled a paper coup by votes and treaties, legislatures and the will of the people, all exacerbated by the weakness of the little wannabe tinpot dictator in the White House.
We just need to drop the Crimea thing and let it go. We have no leg to stand on and no where to go with it. There is no play here on the board.
Or annexation. Take your pick. Hopefully the Ukraine will use this lull to build up their defenses so when the Soviets invade it will cost them. Pravda is still whipping up propaganda paving the way for this.
Nobody in Europe is recognizing the Crimean annexation.
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