The Red Cross is no arbiter of international politics. Nor is “International Law” a valid entity, what with tyrants subverting its definition all the time.
If one side of said alleged “civil war” is openly in favor of an outside entity (Russia), it cannot be a civil war by definition. And the opposing sides are in favor of differing outside entities, in addition.
Don't like the term "civil war", fine, wait a few years and call it the "recent unpleasantness".
The Ukraine Separatists have captured far more arms, ammunition, and equipment, than they have the people to use. What does or doesn't come from Russia remains to be seen since when Russia puts enough people on the border to choke off smuggling, Ukraine and NATO yell "massing for an attack" and when Russia pulls their troops back they yell "we damand you seal the border".
That's either strange and suspicious to you, or it's not but it doesn't change the reality that there is plenty of smoke and mirrors about Ukraine and very little independently verifiable real information. Bubbaozkov in Ukraine or Russia having a blog doesn't cut it, either, that's not independently verifiable and there's no reason to believe Bubbaozkov isn't sitting fat and happy in either Kiev or Moscow instead of where the Hell ever he says he is.
A perfect recent example is, "Russians are shelling Ukraine", so? Are they responding or did they initiate this for no reason? There's a Mech Brigade trapped hard against the border with Russia. If they crossed into Russia or fired into Russia, by accident or design, the Russians will lay it on them. Now, what would we do? I mean, what would an American CIC do, not what would/will/has King Barry done.
Would we call in UN peacekeepers to protect the integrity of a US border, call in the OAS observers (roughly equivilent to the OSCE obsrvers), create a hashtag, send our Ambassador to the UN to whine at the UN, demand that someone belive our photos and proof they've decided in advance would be fake, or return fire if not cross the border to destroy the offending unit (as the US has done on more than one occasion when it was the border with Mexico)?
Ok, maybe they had no reason to fire and are just helping the Separatists in that particular case. The point is, the facts aren't out, just the propaganda press releases and the lack of reporting is amazing. Stunning, in fact. What we have is hot button reporting in Western media that contradicts their stand on every other conflict in the world now and in the past decade.
When Candyman started the "ATO" operation, it absolutely became a Civil War because the actions of a few Kiev units made it impossible for a lot of people in the Southeast to believe they weren't being targeted by Kiev just for living where they've lived all their lives.
The heart of the problem is that Kiev sees Russia rolling into Southeastern Ukraine with a large force as the best of all possible outcomes because it would get them out of the austerity measures the IMF has planned and Kiev knows will be wildly unpopular.It would also get Kiev a huge influx of cash along with outsiders there to keep the Coup crowd in power without their having to worry about how loyal their own troops are (leaders installed by a US backed coup or mob tend to forget the worm can turn i.e. Diem and a few others).
Kiev compares all other possible outcomes to that ideal or else they would have been smart enough to extend the truce that was in place for a while just like Russia, Poland, Germany, and the OSCE, begged them to. Even from a selfish military point of view they would have benefited far more from a longer truce than the Separatists would have as their units having limited freedom of movement proves.
The difference between the way I look at the situation and the way a lot of people on FR see it is that I do not believe a word the media says whether I agree with their point of view or not while a lot of people hear what they want to hear and think, Ah, they're finally telling the truth". IMHO, the media is always and no matter what view they spew, about misdirection. I don't believe anyone involved is stating the truth and nothing but the truth, period. I doubt everything every party involved says until it's tested against what the possible benefits to them are along with all the impartial information I can find.
When Western Ukraine melts down as well as the Southeast, maybe some people will change their tune, maybe not. Either way, a lot of people are swallowing everything they're spoon fed by the media and people in love with the Obama backed Kiev Coup Kiddies without so much as a second thought about who's feeding them what.
I recall responding to you in another thread and being ignored when I pointed out what I thought was rather suspicious "information" people are swalloing. Apparently, you feel the media is as pure as wind driven snow when they're hitting your hot buttons.
JMHO, subject to modification as facts rather than BS and propaganda become available.
Do forgive me, the post I linked to was a response to Uncle Chip, not you.