Russia annexing Russians. Yeah, a really terrible thing they've done.
As I've said it remains to be seen. Russia needs to let Crimea decide Crimea's future. As you need to do.
Yeah well they aren't allowing self determination. Latest reports are that the Russian military is demanding allegiance from Ukrainian forces. They're blocking bases and demanding Ukrainian bases to switch allegiance.
It's an invasion.
Look one russian soldier preventing the Ukranian military from attacking out of their base lol. They don't want a fight why should anyone?
In fairness, he did have Taco Bell last night
Since when is surrounding a foreign country's military bases on their soil "protecting" their military assets? Should the US send troops into Havana to protect Gitmo? Really?
Your last sentence makes me ask if you have followed any history in the last 100 years. I am sure all of those countries in Eastern Europe really wanted a stalinist system after WWII. They wanted it so much the Soviets needed to station troops in these countries to make sure the elections went well for the communists. Come on really?
Has the question of who provided the brand new $1300 dollar flak jackets for the hard core protesters been answered?
Reality on the ground right now is that Russia has invaded and occupied territory in a sovereign nation in violation of explicit agreements and the UN charter. My guess is that you would not be okay with Mexico occupying areas of the US that are majority Hispanic.
There is simply no justification for this action. There was no evidence of a threat to ethnic Russians in Crimea and you know as well as I do that Russia attacked Ukraine because of its political interests, not due to some high-minded embrace of self determination (which they emphatically reject in plenty of parts of Russia).
Why people are acting as apologists for the most naked display of aggression since the Iraq War is beyond me. Particularly those who were so against the Iraq War.
Well, the very first thing we need to establish is Russia is not the Soviet Union. Secondly, while I recognize that Russia CAN exert influence over the referendum, until there is some proof they are, its little more than name calling to claim it absolutely will go down that way.
It doesnt matter which army is occupying. Even the United States makes sure the people they want in power are in power in their occupations. That is my point. And to think this would be any different is absolutely silly. If Crimea is so hell bent on being annexed by Russia. Why does Putin needs boots on the ground in the running up of the vote to break away from Ukraine?
Do you think new regime in Kiev was going to allow a vote on independence in Crimea? They don't even allow the people of Crimea to vote for the governor and mayors.
Have the Russians fired one shot at anyone? Has anyone fired one shot at them? Could it be that they are there because the people of Crimea want them there?
It doesnt matter which army is occupying. Even the United States makes sure the people they want in power are in power in their occupations. That is my point. And to think this would be any different is absolutely silly. If Crimea is so hell bent on being annexed by Russia. Why does Putin needs boots on the ground in the running up of the vote to break away from Ukraine?
I don't know, what does that matter at this point? Russia invaded Crimea and moved the vote to March 30th.
Do you think new regime in Kiev was going to allow a vote on independence in Crimea? They don't even allow the people of Crimea to vote for the governor and mayors.
It matters because now there is going to be a vote. For the first time in history, the people of Crimea will have a say in their own future.
NATO, EU, and "international community" set all the precedents Putin needs and then some in Kosovo. Notice that Putin is not bombing Ukraine into the middle ages, unlike what was done in Serbia.It's very odd to me that you would try to endorse the invasion of a sovereign state, the violation of the UN charter, and the violation of numerous international agreements based on the idea that those being invaded have not engaged in hostilities with the invaders.
That is a rumor that has not been confirmed.Oh and BTW Russia just demanded that all Ukrainian forces in Crimea surrender to them or face military assault.
You can claim your position is to allow the people living in Crimea the right to self determination. But you cant claim that right to self determination happens freely under military occupation by a foreign army. History isn't on your side in that claim.
Under Russian occupation. I wonder how the vote will turn out?
NATO, EU, and "international community" set all the precedents Putin needs and then some in Kosovo. Notice that Putin is not bombing Ukraine into the middle ages, unlike what was done in Serbia.
You may want to look west towards Kiev for that answer. I know you all seem to think that those protesters are glued in place, but it seems to me it is not out of the realm of possiblity that the protesters would begin moving east to silence any who disagree with their decision to overthrow the duely elected government.
NATO, EU, and "international community" set all the precedents Putin needs and then some in Kosovo. Notice that Putin is not bombing Ukraine into the middle ages, unlike what was done in Serbia.
That is a rumor that has not been confirmed.
Crimea was already a substantially autonomous region. I suggest looking at the Ukranian Constitution to this effect:
http://www.president.gov.ua/en/content/chapter10.html
NATO, EU, and "international community" set all the precedents Putin needs and then some in Kosovo. Notice that Putin is not bombing Ukraine into the middle ages, unlike what was done in Serbia.
That is a rumor that has not been confirmed.
So you are advocating military invasion under the pre-tense that protestors may come to a city near you? These justifications are getting more bizzare by the minute.
For the record I doubt those in Kiev would come to the Crimea anyways. They got what they wanted. The Pro-Russian leader was tossed from office.