[Jim Robinson]

'But he then said this: "It should be above all in Ukraine's own interest to ensure that these people's rights and interests are fully protected. This is the guarantee of Ukraine's state stability and territorial integrity."

In other words, if the Kremlin believes Russians are being discriminated against, Ukraine's independence is no longer assured.

Those words will have echoed across parts of the former Soviet Union with large Russian populations...'

What does Vladimir Putin want next?

Well, the dimwitted Obama had best be figuring it out real quick. Putin wants all he can easily take. And he will take all he can when there's no one there to stop him. A pen and a phone ain't cutting it.

He's on a mission from God. Putting the USSR back together.

[ClearCase_guy]

What does Vladimir Putin want next?

I dunno but my wife is pretty smart -- I'll ask 'er!

(That's an Alaska joke, you know.)

[Olog-hai]

The bear claws are mightier than the pen, here.

[Marguerite]

“it has propelled the Russian President to his highest approval rating — 71%”

According to the latest poll two days ago, Putin’s approval rating is 75.7% - his highest in the last five years.

[Cyber Liberty]

I’m voting “Estonia.” He’s already complaining about the way poor “Russians” are treated there. But I think Putin will push at the weakest link next, wherever he perceives that to be.

[easternsky]

You got it Jim, that’s where were at.

[Carry_Okie]

He's on a mission from God. Putting the USSR back together.

He wants to be the stud that leads a dominant nation to glory. He has nothing but contempt for LGBT poofters, believing that they sap the willpower of a nation.

[boycott]

What does Vladimir Putin want next?

---

For Obama to get a third term?

[zipper]

It doesn’t matter what Putin wants, he’ll get it, because our president is as weak as the image he projects. And doesn’t care — he’s more interested in March Madness or planning his next vacation.

And we can’t impeach the SOB because there’s no political will, because he’s half black.

[Marguerite]

Contrary to the West allegations, that V.Putin, a native of St.Petersburg, wants to rebuild the Soviet Union, this is not his goal. What he wants is to regain the greatness of Russia as set up by the great precursors Peter the Great and Cathrine II, at the end of 18th century, but a new, modern Russia. It is not a coincidence that the Russian Federation adopted the Imperial Russia's flag colors and coat of arms.

Since the last military operation in Afghanistan, at the time of Soviet Union in 1980, Russia hasn't invaded any country, contrary to the allegations in the Western media. Russia didn't "invade" Chechenya, wich was included in the Imperial Russia in 1859. Russia didn't "invade" South Ossetia, which was an automoumous provice and declared independence at the break of the Soviet Union in 1991, and it's still an independent Republic, not part of Russia. Russia didn't "invade" Crimea, it already had there some 17,000 troops according to the treaty signed with Ukraine in 1994. Crimea has been part of Catherine the Great' Imperial Russia since 1774.

At that time of the Imperial Russia, the actual Eastern and South Ukraine, called "Malorussia" (Little Russia) was integral part of the Russian Empire since 1654, the natural border being on Dniepr river. With this data in mind, one can understand Putin's foreign policy. He is not interested in Latvians , Poles or other Ruthenians (inhabitants of Western Ukraine), but only in rebuilding his country prosperity and greatness as he understands it.

[Ouderkirk]

It’s clear that Putin loves his country and the things that he thinks made it great. Obastard hates our country and everything we think made it great.

[freeangel]

Whatever iit is, Obama will handed over in a NY minute.

[McGruff]

He's on a mission from God. Putting the USSR back together.

I don't think he is. At least he didn't start out to.

Let's not forget who started this mess. Everything was quiet. The this group of protesters were able to overthrow the Ukrainian government. The ones in charge now wanted to be part of the EU. The fact that there are so many Russian leaning citizens forced Putin's hand. Crimea was a give me. Eastern Ukraine could be pretty easy. After that can't say.

All I know is I don't want our boys and girls involved unless it's in our national interest.

[Terry L Smith]

How large was Tsarist Russia, compared to the USSR?
How many ‘Stan’s are bordered to Russia?

If Vladimir Putin said, “A Russia for all Russians.”, and with the USSR, how many Russians are located in those bordering areas, outside of the old Warsaw Pact nations?

[M Kehoe]

Was it the Beatles White Album that had the song, Back to the USSR ?

5.56mm

[tcrlaf]

As I said back when this started, everything Southeast of the Dneiper, most especially the Donetsk region, because of the Heavy Industry and critical minerals of this area.

Again, Russian majority, and largely unhappy with the government in Kiev.

Another violent incident or two is all it is going to take for Putin to act here, especially after the non-response of the West.

[tcrlaf]

To continue:

It’s important to remember that Russia didn’t act in Crimea until the legit government fell, and the new one started pronouncing anti-Russian rhetoric, and demanding the end of the Russian language in Ukraine.

This just didn’t start overnight. It has been building for some time, as the same groups that destabilized Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, went to work in Ukraine, including the US Government.

[ZOOKER]

What does he want? Simple and obvious - he wants better access to the Mediterranean. Crimea, with its warm-water ports, is only the first step, because two things still block easy access:

Access to Crimea from Russia - Ukraine stands in the way. I don't expect Putin to invade, since I don't think he'll need to. He already has the Ukrainian gov't pretty well cowed into submission.

Access to Mediterranean from Crimea: Turkey has already threatened to close the Straits of Bosporus to Russian shipping due to the Crimean situation. That can't sit well with Putin. Turkey will be a much tougher nut for Putin to crack, IMHO.

[Grampa Dave]

What does Putin want?

Two more terms of Obozo as president, aka FDR.

Then, the new Russia, not the old USSR, will be the dominant power in the world. America will have slipped into the post America status, where gays and other mentally ill rats rule what's left of our country.

[Eva]

I am about to post an article from National Review by Andrew McCarthy that explains the history that has enabled Putin to make these aggressive moves in the region and how the US foreign policy played right into his hands.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/373964/transnational-transgressions-andrew-c-mccarthy

[caveat emptor]

Putin wants all he can easily take. And he will take all he can when there's no one there to stop him.

Canadian PM Stephen Harper can't do it alone, but he's working on it.

The prime minister — who called for a "complete reversal" of Russia's subsequent annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula — laid a large bouquet of red carnations along a stone wall near Independence Square, Kiev, Ukraine, on Saturday, March 22, 2014 on his way to the G7 meeting in the Hague.



"It is for Ukrainians, and for Ukrainians only, to decide their future," Harper told a news conference with the interim Ukrainian prime minister shortly before his visit to the square.

"In this principle, Canada will not waver. And to help the Ukrainian people peacefully secure a bright future of freedom, we shall spare no effort."

Harper met with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the Cabinet of Ministers building on Saturday in the midst of the most serious crisis in eastern Europe since the Cold War.

He gave Yatsenyuk the Ukrainian flag that flew on Parliament Hill during part of the country's uprising. Harper also later sat down with the new Ukrainian president at the nearby presidential palace.

Yatsenyuk was effusive in his praise of Canada for its full-throated support of Ukraine during their news conference.

He grew agitated when reminding reporters that Ukraine voluntarily rid itself of its nuclear arsenal years ago, only to have Russian perform an "armed robbery of Ukrainian independence" by making a play for Crimea.

Yatsenyuk also jokingly made a pitch to replace Russia in the G8.

"If the G8 has an empty seat, we are ready to take it," he exclaimed as the assembled media and politicians erupted in laughter.

Harper, meantime, reiterated his tough stance against Russia.

"For Ukraine, the consequences of the actions of the Putin regime are obvious and can only be remedied by their complete reversal," he said.

"All of us who desire peace and stability in the world must recognize that the consequences of these actions will be felt far beyond the borders of Ukraine or even the European continent itself."

He also provided a preview of what he's likely to argue to his fellow G7 leaders at an emergency summit in The Hague on Monday on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.

"I think it is important that we in the free world not accept the occupation of Crimea, that we continue to resist and sanction the occupation of Crimea and that there be no return to business as usual with the Putin regime until such time as the occupation of Crimea ends," he said.

The prime minister's visit to Kyiv comes during an extraordinarily tense time for eastern Europe amid fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be pondering flexing his muscles in other countries that were once part of the Soviet bloc.

Harper's Ukrainian counterpart agreed that a strong international response to Russia's actions in Crimea was crucial.

"Russia violating international agreements, Russia making an armed robbery to Ukrainian independent territory, undermined global security," said Yatsenyuk.

"It's up to the UN and a number of international organizations to find the way how to contain those who violate the deals, who breach the deals and who invade the neighbours."

The two leaders met as pro-Russian forces stormed a Ukrainian air force base in Crimea, firing shots and stun grenades and smashing through concrete walls with armoured personnel carriers. At least one person was wounded, the base commander said.

Russian forces have been seizing Ukrainian military facilities for several days in the Black Sea peninsula, which voted a week ago to secede and join Russia. Harper and his western allies have called that referendum an illegitimate vote.

Harper is expected to deliver his account of the situation on the ground in Ukraine to his G7 colleagues in the coming days, and to push them to take a tougher stand. Germany is of particular concern given that country's close economic ties to Russia.

The head of the Ukrainian Canadian congress, who was in Kyiv with Harper, said he thought the prime minister had significant sway with the G7.

"I think he is highly recognized within the leadership of the G7, we've seen the kind of influence he's had even with President Obama," said Paul Grod.

"We hope to see that when he meets with the G7 on Monday that he'll be able to impress upon him personal first hand discussions and view of the situation in Ukraine, and convince him to in fact push Russia out of the G8 and make it a G7."