Russian Women Discussion
RWD News From the Front => Ukrainian Front Discussion => Topic started by: Wayne on March 06, 2014, 06:49:48 AM
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What happens if Crimea votes to become part of Russia?
Will this action start a civil war?
Check out the news stories for today!
How does your Crimean wife/girl friend, etc. feel about this?
How will she vote?
So you will need a visa to enter Crimea?
How would this effect a K-1 CR-2 OR IR-1 in progress?
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What happens if Crimea votes to become part of Russia?
Will this action start a civil war?
Check out the news stories for today!
How does your Crimean wife/girl friend, etc. feel about this?
How will she vote?
So you will need a visa to enter Crimea?
How would this effect a K-1 CR-2 OR IR-1 in progress?
I just read that as I woke up this morning. The people of Crimea are now calling the Ukrainian forces "Occupiers" and are demanding that they leave.
I say let those people vote and decide their own fate. It appears to me that this region is somewhat distinct. If they want to be a part of Russia, then let them...if they want to stay a part of Ukraine, then let them.[size=78%] [/size][/size] I wonder if this vote would have happened had he Russians not forced the issue with their radical move? [size=78%]
Fathertime!
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Like that vote will be fair . . .
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16 March is this coming Sunday. I wonder how many Crimeans even know about this vote? There is not a dense population here. A small faction could sway the vote. A lot of people own property there, but do not live there full time.
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Putins Russian, has to first Approve accepting them, before it matters.
It will not like be a fair vote.
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Putin will send a large number of people over from Russia to vote in the elections in Crimea.
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Why bother to send people to vote, just fill up some ballot boxes and truck them over. Look at all the gas it would save!
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This region is already known as 'The Autonomous Republic of Crimea'. They already have their own parliamentary government, thus they reserved the right for self-determination. If they want to be 'part of Russia', that's their decision.
It wasn't too long ago that the sentiment of the vast majority of Ukrainians oppose membership to NATO. I believe it was only about 15-20% of the population actually were proponents of membership in NATO. Since 1990, election of their politicians were largely determined by their anti-NATO campaigns.
Thus, this is NOT an affair the US should be involved in, and by NATO alliance extension, neither should the EU.
Ukrainians wanted to plot their self-determination by ousting an elected president. They should and did. They didn't want membership with NATO, then NATO and the western countries do NOT have a dog in this fight. Let the Ukrainians deal with Russia alone.
The US should not be screaming moral and ethical banters towards the actions of Moscow considering the posture they took in Cuba and the promise they gave the Soviet regime, along with Germany, that NATO will not advance ONE centimeter beyond the existing boundary of 1989.
Putin is wrong for the military positioning inside Crimea, but I can honestly say I can understand why.
Let the Ukrainians grab this opportunity and determine for themselves what and how they want to progress right here and right now. The western states have as much right to be IN Ukraine as Russia do, which is NONE. So they should 'butt-out'
Lastly, now at least, the global leaders - along with the rest of the world, have a better understanding of the frustrating challenges we, hubbies and boyfriends, experiences trying to relate with persons borne out of Slavic/Soviet mentality.
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This region is already known as 'The Autonomous Republic of Crimea'. They already have their own parliamentary government, thus they reserved the right for self-determination. If they want to be 'part of Russia', that's their decision.
It wasn't too long ago that the sentiment of the vast majority of Ukrainians oppose membership to NATO. I believe it was only about 15-20% of the population actually were proponents of membership in NATO. Since 1990, election of their politicians were largely determined by their anti-NATO campaigns.
Thus, this is NOT an affair the US should be involved in, and by NATO alliance extension, neither should the EU.
Ukrainians wanted to plot their self-determination by ousting an elected president. They should and did. They didn't want membership with NATO, then NATO and the western countries do NOT have a dog in this fight. Let the Ukrainians deal with Russia alone.
The US should not be screaming moral and ethical banters towards the actions of Moscow considering the posture they took in Cuba and the promise they gave the Soviet regime, along with Germany, that NATO will not advance ONE centimeter beyond the existing boundary of 1989.
Putin is wrong for the military positioning inside Crimea, but I can honestly say I can understand why.
Let the Ukrainians grab this opportunity and determine for themselves what and how they want to progress right here and right now. The western states have as much right to be IN Ukraine as Russia do, which is NONE. So they should 'butt-out'
Lastly, now at least, the global leaders - along with the rest of the world, have a better understanding of the frustrating challenges we, hubbies and boyfriends, experiences trying to relate with persons borne out of Slavic/Soviet mentality.
You are correct, but Last we looked, the west does not have battle ships, armoured
Vehicles and 16000 plus troops in Crimea.
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Vote we MOVE The Swallow's Nest Castle into Ukraine's mainland? How about moving to Odessa? lol
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You are correct, but Last we looked, the west does not have battle ships, armoured
Vehicles and 16000 plus troops in Crimea.
Two wrongs don't make a right
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Two wrongs don't make a right
I did not say that, if you noticed I quoted someone else.
My words were a direct reflection of this.
I do not think anyone's military should be Ukraine, but their own.
As for assistance the west and Russia need to be involved in Ukraine's Future, IMO
Politically and financially
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This region is already known as 'The Autonomous Republic of Crimea'. They already have their own parliamentary government, thus they reserved the right for self-determination. If they want to be 'part of Russia', that's their decision.
It wasn't too long ago that the sentiment of the vast majority of Ukrainians oppose membership to NATO. I believe it was only about 15-20% of the population actually were proponents of membership in NATO. Since 1990, election of their politicians were largely determined by their anti-NATO campaigns.
Thus, this is NOT an affair the US should be involved in, and by NATO alliance extension, neither should the EU.
Ukrainians wanted to plot their self-determination by ousting an elected president. They should and did. They didn't want membership with NATO, then NATO and the western countries do NOT have a dog in this fight. Let the Ukrainians deal with Russia alone.
The US should not be screaming moral and ethical banters towards the actions of Moscow considering the posture they took in Cuba and the promise they gave the Soviet regime, along with Germany, that NATO will not advance ONE centimeter beyond the existing boundary of 1989.
Putin is wrong for the military positioning inside Crimea, but I can honestly say I can understand why.
Let the Ukrainians grab this opportunity and determine for themselves what and how they want to progress right here and right now. The western states have as much right to be IN Ukraine as Russia do, which is NONE. So they should 'butt-out'
Lastly, now at least, the global leaders - along with the rest of the world, have a better understanding of the frustrating challenges we, hubbies and boyfriends, experiences trying to relate with persons borne out of Slavic/Soviet mentality.
I agree with most of what is said here. Crimea has the right of self determination.
However, I do not believe that such self-determination should be at the muzzle of a gun. If true self-determination is to happen, it should happen naturally and should be something won with logic and friendship. The current self-determination does not resemble this in any way.
I think Russia has bitten off more than it can chew. The ultimate response of the Ukrainian people will be a decided movement in the direction of the West. They will have no choice because they see the heavy hand of Russia and will need refuge from future land incursions. Ukraine, now, has no choice but to seal its Eastern border to stop the number of Russians coming over to participate in overthrow activities.
The net response for Russia is that they will now have a loosely affiliated autonomous region and a next door neighbor that is totally pissed off with them. It will be a long time before any Eastern European country will trust Russia, or, for that matter, any of the Western powers.
Welcome to the Second Cold War.
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As some Russian commentators have been asking on Russian online newspapers: what's the rush? First planned for May, then March 30, now the 16th. At this rate, the next announcement will be tomorrow that the referendum was held yesterday :-X
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I did not say that, if you noticed I quoted someone else.
My words were a direct reflection of this.
I do not think anyone's military should be Ukraine, but their own.
As for assistance the west and Russia need to be involved in Ukraine's Future, IMO
Politically and financially
Sorry Noch, not meant as an attack on you...rather, a response to the assertion of others on this board that military intervention on part of the US and/or NATO is in the best interest of the Ukrainian people.
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Misha,
Russia is losing in the rest of the Eastern Ukrainian areas. The propaganda is wearing off and people are realizing that they really don't want to be part of Russia again.
This is typical from one of my Russian heritage friends who lives in Ukraine:
"I hope never will Russian army in Ukraine at all! Only they can take Russian people from there who said they don't love Ukraine and back to their home and forget about us."
Were Russia to wait for May, there will be a whiplash effect and they will be sent home with their tail between their legs.
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I agree with you. Holding a rushed referendum is a sign of desperation...
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Russia is losing in the rest of the Eastern Ukrainian areas. The propaganda is wearing off and people are realizing that they really don't want to be part of Russia again.
Were Russia to wait for May, there will be a whiplash effect and they will be sent home with their tail between their legs.
All that and Ukraine has yet to fire a shot.
It was said that Putin was asking: 'Is Paris Burning?'*
*'Why aren't they shooting?'
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As some Russian commentators have been asking on Russian online newspapers: what's the rush? First planned for May, then March 30, now the 16th. At this rate, the next announcement will be tomorrow that the referendum was held yesterday :-X
Well, I'm not sure exactly when the referendum will be held, but I'll bet the votes have already been counted. ;D
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Well, I'm not sure exactly when the referendum will be held, but I'll bet the votes have already been counted. ;D
Good one. :)
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This region is already known as 'The Autonomous Republic of Crimea'. They already have their own parliamentary government, thus they reserved the right for self-determination. If they want to be 'part of Russia', that's their decision.
It wasn't too long ago that the sentiment of the vast majority of Ukrainians oppose membership to NATO. I believe it was only about 15-20% of the population actually were proponents of membership in NATO. Since 1990, election of their politicians were largely determined by their anti-NATO campaigns.
Thus, this is NOT an affair the US should be involved in, and by NATO alliance extension, neither should the EU.
Ukrainians wanted to plot their self-determination by ousting an elected president. They should and did. They didn't want membership with NATO, then NATO and the western countries do NOT have a dog in this fight. Let the Ukrainians deal with Russia alone.
The US should not be screaming moral and ethical banters towards the actions of Moscow considering the posture they took in Cuba and the promise they gave the Soviet regime, along with Germany, that NATO will not advance ONE centimeter beyond the existing boundary of 1989.
Putin is wrong for the military positioning inside Crimea, but I can honestly say I can understand why.
Let the Ukrainians grab this opportunity and determine for themselves what and how they want to progress right here and right now. The western states have as much right to be IN Ukraine as Russia do, which is NONE. So they should 'butt-out'
Lastly, now at least, the global leaders - along with the rest of the world, have a better understanding of the frustrating challenges we, hubbies and boyfriends, experiences trying to relate with persons borne out of Slavic/Soviet mentality.
There's the little eventuality in your synopsis there GQ. Did Ukraine turn away from the West and NATO because of the Putin puppet that was the President or did in fact Ukrainians did not want to align with the West and NATO. I guess at this point we'll never know.
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Ukraine now, Russia next.
Let Ukraine never be a member of NATO, I say. Or is this issue important enough for us hypocritical westerners that we risk nuclear armaggedon?
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Ukraine now, Russia next.
Let Ukraine never be a member of NATO, I say. Or is this issue important enough for us hypocritical westerners that we risk nuclear armaggedon?
This one went like the Russian bullets shot at Ukrainians last week: Over my head!
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There's the little eventuality in your synopsis there GQ. Did Ukraine turn away from the West and NATO because of the Putin puppet that was the President or did in fact Ukrainians did not want to align with the West and NATO. I guess at this point we'll never know.
Well, there's enough info about this to understand and, maybe, accept what we always knew.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine%E2%80%93NATO_relations
Polls, elections, etc...had easily shown the vast majority of Ukrainians would like not to ever become a member of NATO. The majority see a membership to NATO more as a threat to its security than a protection.
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Well not exactly GQ, it wasn't until Yanukovych that there was a change of heart.
"In the 2000s, the government of Ukraine was leaning towards NATO membership, and a deeper cooperation with the alliance was set by the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan signed in 2002. It was later agreed that the question of joining NATO should be answered by a national referendum at some point in the future.[14] In April 2005, Ukraine entered into Intensified Dialogue with NATO,[15] and during the 2008 Bucharest summit NATO declared that Ukraine could become a member of NATO when it wants to join and meets the criteria for accession.[16] However, by 2010 Ukraine had announced that it no longer had NATO membership as a goal under the foreign policy of President Viktor Yanukovych.[17] Ukraine has a close relationship with NATO, and it is the most active member of the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intensified_Dialogue#Intensified_Dialogue
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Well not exactly GQ, it wasn't until Yanukovych that there was a change of heart....
False as written.
..."In the 2000s, the government of Ukraine was leaning towards NATO membership, and a deeper cooperation with the alliance was set by the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan signed in 2002. It was later agreed that the question of joining NATO should be answered by a national referendum at some point in the future.[14] In April 2005, Ukraine entered into Intensified Dialogue with NATO,[15] and during the 2008 Bucharest summit NATO declared that Ukraine could become a member of NATO when it wants to join and meets the criteria for accession.[16] However, by 2010 Ukraine had announced that it no longer had NATO membership as a goal under the foreign policy of President Viktor Yanukovych.[17] Ukraine has a close relationship with NATO, and it is the most active member of the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program."
I disagree, at least not based on what is actually written.
1. I made no reference to 'government' of Ukraine but rather 'Ukrainians' themselves (see polls conducted in the wiki page I posted since 2002). The Ukrainian government may have 'leaned' towards membership but that isn't the same as saying the majority of Ukrainians supported the notion.
2. Viktor Yanukovych had nothing whatsoever to do with the population's consensus regarding NATO membership. As a matter of fact, public opinion poll done prior to his presidency in April 2009 supports this assertion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ukraine_NATO_pie_chart.PNG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ukraine_NATO_pie_chart.PNG)
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I believe that Ukraine should NOT be part of NATO.
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This is what you get when you threaten Russians.
Whe nthe "new government" took chagre, the Crimea area announced to change the already planned referendum to an earlier date (march 30). In reply the Ukrainian new government labeled the Crimea government as criminals and asked for their arrest.
So what does the Crimean government do? Let themselves be arrested? I do not htink so.
As the Ukrainian government chose to escalate things, the Crimean government decided to make a decree declaring independence and the wish to be part of Russia. In order not to let thing be outside international law too long, the referendum was put forward to May 16.
Had the Ukrainian government respected democracy and the democratic right of the Crimea area to choose their own destination, they woud have had more time to campaign for Crimea to remain part of Ukraine. Their own actions have caused this.
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This is what you get when you threaten Russians.
Whe nthe "new government" took chagre, the Crimea area announced to change the already planned referendum to an earlier date (march 30). In reply the Ukrainian new government labeled the Crimea government as criminals and asked for their arrest.
So what does the Crimean government do? Let themselves be arrested? I do not htink so.
As the Ukrainian government chose to escalate things, the Crimean government decided to make a decree declaring independence and the wish to be part of Russia. In order not to let thing be outside international law too long, the referendum was put forward to May 16.
Had the Ukrainian government respected democracy and the democratic right of the Crimea area to choose their own destination, they woud have had more time to campaign for Crimea to remain part of Ukraine. Their own actions have caused this.
Shadow, your normal lucid statements are not reflected in the above post.
Lots of misspelling and misquoting of dates. The referendum is set for March 16th, 8 days from now, not in May.
And unlike Crimea, deposing Yanukovych was debated in the Rada for three months straight. (Well, not specifically deposing him, but whether the Rada had any confidence in him and the unilateral decisions he was making.)
The Party of Regions, Yanukovych's own party, was the group that overthrew him.
There was no such plurality or semblance of democracy in Crimea. One night they call a session of the government, the next morning Crimea is going to be part of Russia.
You folks may dismiss this as semantics, but to me, it is substantial.
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Shadow, your normal lucid statements are not reflected in the above post.
Lots of misspelling and misquoting of dates. The referendum is set for March 16th, 8 days from now, not in May.
And unlike Crimea, deposing Yanukovych was debated in the Rada for three months straight. (Well, not specifically deposing him, but whether the Rada had any confidence in him and the unilateral decisions he was making.)
The Party of Regions, Yanukovych's own party, was the group that overthrew him.
There was no such plurality or semblance of democracy in Crimea. One night they call a session of the government, the next morning Crimea is going to be part of Russia.
You folks may dismiss this as semantics, but to me, it is substantial.
If you would know that your main client is making preparations to close their company, leaving you with an unsettled account that threatens your company, would you wait for the payment date to expire or take precautionary measures?
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Threat title, should be changed to Russia, taking the Crimea :D
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Ukraine will join NATO after it gets Crimea back probably mid summer next year.
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Ukraine will join NATO after it gets Crimea back probably mid summer next year.
Me thinks you should put that crack pipe down..... :o
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Couple weeks ago I thought chances were not good for Crimea to join RF but seems like things have been going in another direction. This moving up on voting for referendum from May to March 30 to March 16 reeks of getting the vote the new pro-Russian parliament wants before any kind stabilization in Kiev. The 'Russian 'troops running around Crimea seem to be looking to provoke an engagement with military bases occupied by Ukrainian forces.
Whatever the vote decides, I am sure each side will claim some sort of voting fraud happening if their side loses.
My feeling is March 17 will be the start of upheaval.
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According to Putin TV, Crimea will be apart of the Moscow province. Think this sits well with the Russian home front?
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Most everyone seems upset about the Russian occupation of Crimea. Yet, there is nothing that can be done that would compel Russia to withdraw. Putin will not withdraw. This is fait accompli.
Is anyone surprised? Putin got away with it in Georgia. Only George Bush stood up to him then, and he had too little time remaining to apply pressure on Putin. Obama took office and essentially told Putin via the Russian Reset that if Russia would help with Syria and Iran it could keep the occupied lands in Georgia.
In fact Russia's history has always demonstrated great concern about events near its borders. Stalin's excuse for the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939 was to protect Ukrainians living in east and south Poland (at the time Lviv was part of Poland). So Putin does the same to protect Russians living in Crimea.
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Wouldn't you agree that Putin's reputation is forever marred?
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Wouldn't you agree that Putin's reputation is forever marred?
RePUTatIoN for what?
Being honest? :)
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Most everyone seems upset about the Russian occupation of Crimea. Yet, there is nothing that can be done that would compel Russia to withdraw. Putin will not withdraw. This is fait accompli.
Is anyone surprised? Putin got away with it in Georgia. Only George Bush stood up to him then, and he had too little time remaining to apply pressure on Putin. Obama took office and essentially told Putin via the Russian Reset that if Russia would help with Syria and Iran it could keep the occupied lands in Georgia.
In fact Russia's history has always demonstrated great concern about events near its borders. Stalin's excuse for the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939 was to protect Ukrainians living in east and south Poland (at the time Lviv was part of Poland). So Putin does the same to protect Russians living in Crimea.
Georgia? You mean that time in 2008 that the Georgian president Saakashvili decided he could use the Beijing Olympics to take South Ossetia in to Georgian hands? I thought it got settled 6 years ago theat Russia did not attack but only reacted to an attack on their forces. Seems that repeated lies are still trying to become the truth.
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Wouldn't you agree that Putin's reputation is forever marred?
Yes, once things calm down his statues will be put where Lenin used to be.
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The US military can go it alone. Russia is a third rate military. Most of our NATO partners can handle Russia. But honestly there is no way Russia can win this. They might get kicked off the Security Council for this. If this escalates quickly or drags out, Putin loses and loses all.
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In such a time like this, has anyone seen or heard from this slacker? I thought this foreign affair expert was chosen as a running mate solely because of his expertise in dealing with *foreign affair*. LOL
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/24/barackobama.joebiden1 (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/24/barackobama.joebiden1)
This joker is just another liberal slacker getting paid like a typical *Democrat* for doing absolutely nothing.
All these 'foreign affair matters going on, Syria, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Egypt, Israel, now Ukraine/Russia and the dude is nowhere to be seen or heard.
Yup...told you so!
End game. Putin wins!
March 16 a referendum passes and Crimea is slated to annex to Russia. Negotiation ensues but not without the flavor of the usual theatrical * warnings* from our silly President, screaming,
"THIS IS FIRM!!!. We Will not stand for this!!!! Russia have crossed THE REDLINE!!!! This is illegitimate and against Ukraine's Constitution!!!
LOL. Putin smiles....
A couple of days passes by and they make an agreement whereas Crimea stays with Ukraine with an agreement that NATO will not ever take hold in Ukraine - EVER! Russia keeps its ports and establishes a military base within Crimea. Ukraine can marry-up with Euro-economy (whatever that is) but it will have to bear present day value for gas and oil and fully allowing Russia's pipeline though its territory. GazProm takes the US $1 billion as payment for the 2014 1st quarter oil and gas tab.
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Georgia? You mean that time in 2008 that the Georgian president Saakashvili decided he could use the Beijing Olympics to take South Ossetia in to Georgian hands? I thought it got settled 6 years ago theat Russia did not attack but only reacted to an attack on their forces. Seems that repeated lies are still trying to become the truth.
You speak the standard Putin line. My wife says the same, stating that Saakashvili tried to start a war.
After the breakup of the USSR, South Ossetia was part of Georgia (as Crimea was part of Ukraine). Unlike Crimea, South Ossetia functioned rather independently and was not peaceful. The area had peacekeepers from Russia and Georgia. In 2008, Georgia did attack first, claiming they were "...responding to attacks on its peacekeepers and villages in South Ossetia, and that Russia was moving non-peacekeeping units into the country." The Georgian attacks occurred on sovereign Georgian land.
IMO this would be the same as Ukrainian military attacking in force the "non-Russian troops" in Crimea to wrest control. After watching what happened to Georgian troops, I do not believe Ukraine will be attacking the mystery troops in Crimea.
Russia, not Georgia controls all of South Ossetia today. Is South Ossetia recognized by the international community as an independent country?
Like the Balkans, the politics are as clear as mud.
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They might get kicked off the Security Council for this.
Please enlighten us on how this would happen, since Russia is a Permanent Member of the Council ::).
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My Wife is afraid the following will happen. Ukrainian TV is already cut off in Crimea. All the communication lines to Crimea come through main land Ukraine. Banks already have put a limit on the amount of money you can withdraw in one day. When Crimea goes to Russia, the banks will be closed for a long time in order to change over to rubles. People are now trying to get US dollars.
Electric power and gas lines to Crimea could get cut off. Flights to and from Simferopol Airport are now limited. Train travel is not working. Vehicles are not getting through the check points at Ukraine main land.
If the Russian speaking people want to get Russian passports, the wait time will be very long unless you can pay a very high bribe. If you are in the middle of a K-1 or other visa, you will have to start all over again with the US Embassy in Moscow.
If you own a vehicle, you will need to get Russian plates. Everything will be a total mess!
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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26510623
A video clip of a family leaving Crimea. Interesting to see views of someone that is actually there.
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If you would know that your main client is making preparations to close their company, leaving you with an unsettled account that threatens your company, would you wait for the payment date to expire or take precautionary measures?
Governments are NOT run like companies. THANK GOD!!!
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Thanks for that video clip, Doug.
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Yesterday, I spoke on the phone for more than one hour to AFP Correstpondent, Katherine Haddon who is in Simferopol along with partner Richard Sargent. She was at Simferopol Airport yesterday and said that all flights to or from Simferopol are cancelled except those with Moscow.
I checked both Turkish Airlines and Ukraine International Airlines websites, and all flights to or from Simferopol are cancelled.
Also, the train station in Simferopol is shut down. The roads from Crimea to Ukraine main land are blocked and armed men are controlling who gets through. All the main ports on the Black Sea have been over taken.
What happened to this website yesterday?
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More information:
News UIA is forced to cancel flights between Kiev and Simferopol
Simferopol International airport announced flights en routes Kiev – Simferopol and Simferopol – Kiev will not be operated to/from the airport. In this regard Ukraine International Airlines inform the carrier is forced to cancel flights between Kiev and Simferopol through to March 17, 2014.
Within the period of March 12 – 17, 2014, UIA cancels PS061 and PS065 Kiev – Simferopol, as well as PS062 and PS064 Simferopol – Kiev flights due to reasons beyond the airline`s control.
“The discriminatory measures by Simferopol International airport cause inconvenience to hundreds of passengers both Ukrainians and foreigners, – noted Sergiy Fomenko, UIA Executive Vice President Commerce. – Termination of scheduled service between Kiev and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea mines the image of Ukraine and Crimea alike and causes severe economic losses to both UIA and Simferopol International airport”.
UIA looks forward to all flight restrictions to be lifted. The latter will provide the carrier with the opportunity to resume flights en route Kiev – Simferopol – Kiev starting March 18, 2014.
Detailed information on UIA rates and flight schedule is available on the company’s official website www.flyuia.com as well as the carrier`s call center at +38 (044) 5815050 or 566 (portables in Ukraine).
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(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac150/clmontes/russprop_zps04732d06.jpg)
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac150/clmontes/krimref_zpsc0ea6b5d.jpg)
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac150/clmontes/putinfinger_zpsb4311fdd.jpg)
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What changes will take place in Crimea now?
People are concerned that the electric, gas, telephone, internet and so on will be cut off between Crimea and main land Ukraine. Since there are a lot of military bases, both Russian and Ukrainian, in Crimea, so do you think they have emergency generators?
We had a snow storm a couple of years ago that shut off electric for five days. It was in March. Somehow we managed to get through it. Of course, some stores were open. Hospitals, government, law enforcement, etc worked.
I wonder how prepared Crimea would be?
Rumor has it that Russia will pay for people getting Russian internal passports, but there will be a fee for the international passport. So you think they will pick and chose who can become a Russian Citizen?
How is all of this going to effect Americans living in Crimea with residence permits? For example, say you are married to someone from Crimea? What if your spouse does not want to become a Russian Citizen?
Rumor is that Russia will spend a lot of money in Crimea. Of course, on military bases, some roads and transportation.
What people will be forced to leave Crimea? How secure is your land?
Since an American needs a visa to enter Russia, would you be able to enter Crimea at the present time? When will the Simferopol Airport get back into operation?
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Wayne, all good questions. This is going to be the "watch what you ask for moments"
By the time all is put in place most of the supporters of "change" will feel the pain in some part of their life. Only the very top tier of the population will benefit.
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It looks like Crimea does have some oil and gas wells, both on land and sea. I don't know if they could develope them enough for their needs.
I wonder how high gasoline prices will climb?
It seems to me that utility prices in Crimea are already higher than in main land Ukraine. Of course, the climate is warmer. I didn't see any real forests in Crimea. Things look somewhat dry, like southern Callifornia highlands. Lumber and probably fire wood is relatively expensive there.
There is enough small scale farming to provide fresh fruits and vegetables. We went to a large BEER factory. People make their own wine and other drinks. Some fresh fish are available.
It will be an interesting experiment!
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The income tax rate for Ukraine starts at 15% and increases up to 19% for higher earners.
It looks like the income tax rate for Russia for individuals is a flat 13%. It looks like you usually don't file a return and there is no joint filing.
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'Most' of the people living in Crimea will be hurting big time from this.
Yes, I understand it has been reported that government employees have already been given raises by Russia, but . . .
1) There will be a huge drop-off in non-Russian visitors to Crimea during the tourist season. I know casually several persons in Crimea who receive 80% or more of their entire yearly earnings during the summer tourist season.
2) This slack off will not be made up by Russians who will be flocking to the new facilities in Sochi.
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'Most' of the people living in Crimea will be hurting big time from this.
Yes, I understand it has been reported that government employees have already been given raises by Russia, but . . .
1) There will be a huge drop-off in non-Russian visitors to Crimea during the tourist season. I know casually several persons in Crimea who receive 80% or more of their entire yearly earnings during the summer tourist season.
2) This slack off will not be made up by Russians who will be flocking to the new facilities in Sochi.
I have been twice, I will not be back :)
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I have been twice, I will not be back :)
I haven't been to Crimea at all, much as I have wanted to. I would now give approximately nada, zip, bupkis, etc, for my chances of doing so in the future.
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If you go to the trip reports sans responses section, and look at calmissile's thread, pages 4 and 5 you will see many interesting photographs that he took while in Crimea. Although it was in the Fall, you can still see people at the beaches. He also has a lot of photos of the military history of Crimea.
Some of the best brandy I ever tasted was in Crimea. They have an excellent climate for growing grapes. It compares to some areas in France or California.
If you like back packing, there are a lot of natural areas that are wild and undeveloped. You can find streams, waterfalls, caves and so on.
It would be a shame if Crimea becomes isolated!
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It seems to me that most of the people on this forum have never experienced Crimea. I don't want to show the photos we have taken because we are almost always in them. So here are some stock shots:
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More photos:
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What if you are a US Citizen currently in Crimea on the 90 day no visa rule and your vacation or 90 days are nearly over?
Say you took the UIA flight from Kyiv to Simferopol and have return tickets. UIA flights are all cancelled. Aeroflot to Moscow is all booked up, even business class. Your are running out of money! Banks are closed. ATM's not working. Credit and debit cards stop working. The internet connection at your hotel or flat stops working.
You call the US Embassy in Kyiv, but you have no way to get there.
Another problem:
Say you are a US Citizen with Ukrainian TPR or PR currently living in Crimea?
What if you own land in Crimea?
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I think you better start thinking about selling that house you've been building.
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1) Say you are a US Citizen with Ukrainian TPR or PR currently living in Crimea?
2) What if you own land in Crimea?
1) You will find your car vandalized, your apartment windows will be broken, you will be cursed at and not served at the local markets, you will fear for your life and look for a way out.
2) You will be a 'former owner of land in Crimea' without compensation. Meanwhile, all the Russian owners of Condos in Florida and UK will continue on with no problems.
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I have 'spoken' to a lady friend of mine who lives in Kharkiv, but she came from Crimea and is of Russian ethnic. Her parents was living in Crimea until recently. They have now moved to Kharkiv !!!
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1) I thought the whole point was Crimeans are Ukrainians and love US, that's why they need protection from evil Russians? I thought everyone loves US, they bring democracy, no?...
Yes. Courtesy of Blackwater Security Company ;)
We aren't known as the 'Dirty Americans' for nothing, you know.
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Yes. Courtesy of Blackwater Security Company ;)
We aren't known as the 'Dirty Americans' for nothing, you know.
Blackater doesn't even exist anymore Generalismo. And o btw, Prince is in exile:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Prince
We aren't known as the 'Stupid Americans' for nothing, you know.
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Blackater doesn't even exist anymore Generalismo. And o btw, Prince is in exile:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Prince (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Prince)
We aren't known as the 'Stupid Americans' for nothing, you know.
Speaking of 'Stupid'....LOL.
http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/blackwater_worldwide (http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/blackwater_worldwide)
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My wife says the Russian military are repairing roads and cleaning parks. She said, 15 more people were killed, and the airport has cancelled all flights until 1 April.
The banks are starting to pay salary, but you still cannot withdraw savings.
It looks like Russia will invest money in Crimea.
Good news that the income tax rate will be lower.
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My wife says the Russian military are repairing roads and cleaning parks. She said, 15 more people were killed, and the airport has cancelled all flights until 1 April.
What does your wife think about all this? Is she for or against the current events in Crimea?
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It looks like Russia will invest money in Crimea.
Good news that the income tax rate will be lower.
Tell your wife Russia is going to expect a return on it's investment, probably more than what they're paying into it.
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My wife does not care much about politics, nor do I. We would just like to be left alone to live a peaceful, happy life.
However, the events taking place will effect everyone in Crimea, Ukraine and Russia.
My opinion is that people living in Russian Federation have less freedoms than in some other countries.
Most of Crimea is a wild, undeveloped nature. If you have Google Earth on your computer, you can take a look for yourself. I think it would be spoiled with too much development.
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It looks like Russia will invest money in Crimea.
Definition of ZERO-SUM
: of, relating to, or being a situation (as a game or relationship) in which a gain for one side entails a corresponding loss for the other side <dividing up the budget is a zero–sum game
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero-sum (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero-sum)
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It looks like Russia will invest money in Crimea.
Sure, for the first few months, or maybe even the first couple of years, then when Crimea falls of the radar, they will get as much "investment" as any other peripheral region of Russia :-X
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Annexing Crimea is a roundabout way for Russia to introduce visa-free tourism
By Jason Karaian (http://qz.com/author/jasonqz/) @jkaraian (http://twitter.com/jkaraian) March 17, 2014
For many, Russia’s visa rules (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Russia) make it a hassle (http://www.russianvisa.com/russianvisa/russianvisa.nsf/russian_visa_step_by_step.html) to visit. But soon Americans, Europeans, and others might not need a visa to visit Russia—or part of it, anyway.
If, or when, Russia formally annexes Crimea (http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/724019), it will gain an economy with two million people worth less than 4% of Ukraine’s GDP, which is itself dwarfed by Russia’s much larger economy. Upgrading the region’s infrastructure (http://www.cnbc.com/id/101500201) and bringing spending levels to the Russian average could cost tens of billions of dollars (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/crimea-as-consolation-prize-russia-faces-some-big-costs-over-ukrainian-region/2014/03/15/a807ea20-230e-4f08-8d39-a8f090eb3fba_story.html). This is easily absorbed by Moscow’s budget, and it will be keen for Crimea to thrive under its management, perhaps as an example for other restive regions in eastern Ukraine.
Tourism is one of the peninsula’s most important industries (http://rt.com/business/crimea-economy-referendum-results-102/), attracting six million vacationers to its beaches and Soviet-era spa resorts every year. Revitalizing Crimea’s shell-shocked economy will rely on attracting new tourists to replace the ones scared away by the region’s military stand-off.
As reported today in Kommersant (http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2431752) (link in Russian), Russian and Crimean officials have signed deals to promote stronger tourism links. These apparently include measures to direct Russian government employees to take holidays on Crimean beaches instead of their preferred alternatives in Turkey or Egypt, according to a Russian official. (Never mind that the government just spent $50 billion (http://www.cnbc.com/id/101385144) to spruce up the rival Black Sea resort of Sochi in preparation for the Winter Olympics.)
There is also the intriguing possibility that Crimea could operate under Ukrainian visa rules for up to two years, the official told the newspaper. Ukraine has a much more permissive visa policy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Ukraine) than Russia, which suggests that Americans and Europeans might be allowed to visit this reclaimed bit of Russia without any prior paperwork.
But will they? Before the recent turmoil, only 5% of Crimea’s tourists came from outside Ukraine and Russia. Tour operators have reported a collapse in bookings (http://english.pravda.ru/business/companies/13-03-2014/127104-crimea_tourism-0/) since Crimea’s suspiciously well-equipped “self-defense forces (http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/05/us-ukraine-crisis-lavrov-spain-idUSBREA240NF20140305)” rose up and occupied government buildings, sealed off Ukrainian military bases, and set up armed checkpoints. As summer approaches, visa-free travel to Russia may appeal to a certain sort of intrepid traveller but, in general, as one local hotelier told the Financial Times (http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e8c9e854-a5cb-11e3-9818-00144feab7de.html?siteedition=intl#slide0) (paywall), “no one will want to holiday under the barrel of a gun.”
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This is the latest from Crimea:
Russia has increased the cost of natural gas for Ukraine.
Ukraine has shut down electric to Crimea.
In Sevastopol area, cell phones are not working. Ukrainian companies control this.
Most internet service is shut off in Crimea. Again, Ukrainian companies.
Still, the only flights from Simferopol Airport are to and from Moscow.
Ukraine stopped allowing the flights over their air space, so the flights take much longer.
Tickets are almost impossible to buy.
No food in the stores.
Banks closed. No access to your money.
Weather is nice.
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I have heard that all the churches in Crimea need to register with the new government. Some of the Ukrainian religions are not allowed in Russia. I think overall that Russia has less freedoms.
Friday, 18 April 2014, is the deadline for anyone living in Crimea to decline becoming a Russian Citizen.
The bridge to Russia will cost twice as much as they thought.
Water supplies from Ukraine are being cut down by two thirds.
Some people lost money when banks closed.
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The bridge to Russia will cost twice as much as they thought
Some people lost money when banks closed.
Just a few weeks ago you were stating how things were getting better since the annexation. Are the people/wife who told you the good things happening a few weeks ago now telling you it's bad?
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An infrastructure costing more than they thought it would? now there is a surprise, thought that only happened in the west.
Annexing a piece of land is simple, as Russia showed with Crimea. Of course, when that land is dependent on another country for all its public services you can expect a few issues. Am sure the mighty Russia can solve all those little issues in no time.
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Annexing a piece of land is simple, as Russia showed with Crimea. Of course, when that land is dependent on another country for all its public services you can expect a few issues. Am sure the mighty Russia can solve all those little issues in no time.
Yeah, mighty Russia even have a plan. Instead of bothering to build new infrastructure lets annex more of another country and use infrastructure in place there.
And suddenly mighty Russia doesn't look anything better than just bunch of thieves and muggers.
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The laws in Ukraine are quite a bit different, it seems, than those in Russia. There are pros and cons either way. I think it will take a few years before everything gets sorted out in Crimea.
We would have been paying 19% income tax to Ukraine; now, it is 13% to Russia. So that means you get to keep 6% more of your income. However, the cost of food and goods have gone up. Perhaps as the supply increases, they will go down again.
Ukraine is starting to impose property tax. If you have a large property or more than one property it will cost you the most. I don't think Russia has property tax yet?
Ukraine has a tax on buying land; I think it is 2%. It works like a sales tax. Russia has a much higher tax on purchasing land: something like 16% ?
I think a lot of foreigners who own land in Crimea will be forced into selling it. But will there be enough Russians willing to purchase? My wife thinks the value of land will go up. I don't know! She has invested the money that she earned into the new home for us, so I hope the value does go up. However, it could be a very unstable situation for years.
In driving through Crimea by car and by taking the train, it looks like most of Crimea is rugged, undeveloped county side. I posted photographs, but no one cared. I think the idea of "Putinland" may have some merits. They could make most of the land into a national park system. It already is a good place for back packing. They could develop hunting and fishing more.
How many people on this forum have seen the palaces here? How many of you have even been to Crimea?
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More information:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/crimea-on-bumpy-road-to-becoming-a-russian-province/498167.html (http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/crimea-on-bumpy-road-to-becoming-a-russian-province/498167.html)
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My wife was standing in line outside the bank for three hours in the hot Sun today and gave up when a woman who was standing in line died. She will try again on Monday.
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My wife was standing in line outside the bank for three hours in the hot Sun today and gave up when a woman who was standing in line died. She will try again on Monday.
Oh! Okay then....just another ho-hum normal day in paradise.
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the hot sun makes it sound like the tropics, yet most weather sites I can find suggests a nice spring day with temperatures close to 20 degrees celsuis (or 68 fahrenheit), of course, that could just be russian propaganda....
If people are dying standing in a queue in that temperature then there must be more going on....
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...
the hot sun makes it sound like the tropics, yet most weather sites I can find suggests a nice spring day with temperatures close to 20 degrees celsuis (or 68 fahrenheit), of course, that could just be russian propaganda....
If people are dying standing in a queue in that temperature then there must be more going on....
It is Russian propaganda. How else can a dead woman try again Monday?
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It is Russian propaganda. How else can a dead woman try again Monday?
GQ,…... Wayne is talking about his wife trying again the next day. 8)
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GQ,…... Wayne is talking about his wife trying again the next day. 8)
::::::There's truth in what they say. "Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.":::::::
In case you didn't know, Wayne's wife was also in an airplane crash last she flew in to Ukraine that apparently no one at the airport knew about. You thought the disappearance of MS 370 is weird.....
So strange, unexplainable things have been happening in this part of the world even before Bush got blamed for the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
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GQB, elderly woman really died today in queue to the bank today in Jankoi (Crimea).
Tho I have no idea where Wayne's wife living (was not following full story)
http://crime.in.ua/news/20140425/ochered-krym
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GQB, elderly woman really died today in queue to the bank today in Jankoi (Crimea).
Tho I have no idea where Wayne's wife living (was not following full story)
http://crime.in.ua/news/20140425/ochered-krym (http://crime.in.ua/news/20140425/ochered-krym)
That's sad. I didn't doubt the part of the woman dying...it was the manner in which the post was written.
:(
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That's sad. I didn't doubt the part of the woman dying...it was the manner in which the post was written.
:(
You must know I knew about the post and how it was written and your black humor.
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GQB, elderly woman really died today in queue to the bank today in Jankoi (Crimea).
Tho I have no idea where Wayne's wife living (was not following full story)
http://crime.in.ua/news/20140425/ochered-krym
While I feel sorry for the woman and her family, this is what I got when I tried to follow your link:
Error 1009 Ray ID: 12121e77c4cd04b6
Access denied
What happened?
The owner of this website (crime.in.ua) has banned your IP address (xx.xx.xx.xx) on the country or region you are accessing it from.
I never realised that New Zealand was such a threat to a Ukrainian website! :o
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Anotherkiwi, I do not know. I have access to that website without any issues.
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I had no issue with that link
Назад в СССР. Крымчане умирают в многотысячных очередях
Пт, 25/04/2014 - 13:48
В Джанкое (Крым (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/113)) возле отделения «ПриватБанка» сегодня утром, 25 апреля, скончалась пожилая женщина.
Как сообщили очевидцы изданию 15 минут (http://15minut.org/article/v-ocheredi-u-privatbanka-umerla-krymchanka-2014-04-25-12-51-17), женщина ожидала своей очереди, чтобы написать заявление о возвращении вкладов. По предварительной информации, смерть наступила в результате отрыва тромба.Читайте также: «Затокрымнаш». Полуостров в сумерках «русского мира» (http://crime.in.ua/statti/20140425/krum-nash)</blockquote>23 апреля в Крыму начался прием документов для получения компенсаций по вкладам «Приватбанка», которому официально запретили работать в Крыму. С тех пор возле крымских банков собираются огромные очереди.
Сейчас крымчане только становятся в очередь, получают талоны с датой, когда смогут подать заявление на возврат денег. Очередь вкладчиков уже расписана до 8 мая. В каждом отделении уже зарегистрировано от 6 до 8 тысяч очередников.
Ссылки по теме:
Цугцванг. Крымские «гоблины» не могут справиться ни с экономикой, ни с преступностью (http://crime.in.ua/statti/20140422/crimea)
Русские. Их нет, есть неудачники, ностальгирующие по СССР (http://crime.in.ua/statti/20140405/russkih-net)
"Нас обокрали!" Пенсионеры высказали свои претензии новой власти Крыма (+видео) (http://crime.in.ua/news/20140411/pensii-krym)
Источник фото: ikrim.net.
tags:
Крым (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/113)
оккупация (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/4110)
аннексия (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/4048)
Россия (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/57)
деньги (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/195)
банки (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/132)
обзор (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/13)
«Приватбанк» (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/1551)
crime (http://crime.in.ua/taxonomy/term/4675)
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Now isn't this a little easier reading??? ;)
Back in the USSR. Crimeans die in crowded queues
Fri 25/04/2014 - 13:48
In Jankoi ( Crimea ) near the branch "Privat" this morning, April 25, the elderly woman died.
As eyewitnesses edition of 15 minutes , the woman was waiting for his turn to write a statement about the return of deposits. According to preliminary information, the death occurred as a result of the separation of the thrombus.
See also: "Zatokrymnash." Peninsula at dusk "Russian world"
April 23 in the Crimea began accepting documents for obtaining compensation for deposits "Privat", which is officially banned from working in the Crimea. Since then, near the Crimean banks collected huge queues.
Now Crimeans only become in turn receive coupons with the date when they can apply for a refund. Turn depositors already painted until May 8. Each office is already registered from 6 to 8000 waiting.
Related Links:
Zugzwang. Crimean "goblins" can not cope with any economic or crime
Russian. They do not, there are losers, nostalgic for the Soviet Union
"We were robbed!" Seniors expressed their claims new government of Crimea (+ video)
Photo source: ikrim.net.
tags: Crimea, occupation, annexation, Russia, money, banks, overview, "Privat", crime
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Thanks LAman! I had no idea of what it said.
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Did not mean disrespect, just the way the original post was written makes it sound as if waiting in the hot sun was the reason of death.
With what is happening currently people will try to make every tragedy sound like it is being caused by the situation, the question is, did standing in the 'hot sun' or even standing in the queue contribute to the death. Reading ~Wayne's post it certainly sounded that way, reading the 'news' i have my doubts.
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Miss Ameno, Jankoi is another town, so the woman is not the same person. Also, the climate varies a lot in Crimea depending upon the location and elevation.
I do remember Privat Bank in Simferopol. Most Ukrainian owned banks are closed in Crimea.
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Latest news: Ukrainian owned banks seem to all be closed now in Crimea. Now, Moneygram is not working. There is a Russian service called: "Unistream". They have only one office in my state which is a six hour drive round trip plus I would have to take a day off from work to get there.
So the banking problem is getting worse in Crimea, at least for now.
Also, going from Crimea to Ukraine can be done by the train, but my wife says that to return she would have to go through Russia to Kerch and then to Simferopol. So this would be a most dangerous and long trip!
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These are fairly 'expected' events for a region recently deciding to be under the dominion of another state. Banks within will re-establish as will many infrastructure faculties...
As for Ukraine....I think it's making its own headwind in their own territorial restructuring (http://www.cnbc.com/id/101629179). That's what regime changes are for. The EU and the US are making sure of that as designed.
...Halliburton did not respond to CNBC requests for comment....
Dang that Dick Cheney is at it again, no? :rolleyes:
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What a heartless dweeb. . . .
Wayne, what does your wife think of all this?
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Here is some more information that I found:
Banks are packing up and leaving Crimea as Kiev prepares sanctions against Ukrainian companies operating on the Black Sea peninsula.
Ukraine’s parliament is due to approve Tuesday legislation that will prohibit any state-regulated economic activity, including banking, in Crimea. Kiev will provide companies with licensing and certification, and keeping branches open in Crimea puts them at risk.
The threat from Kiev has so far worked on banks, as the new legislation will punish any differences between Russian and Ukrainian banking laws.
More than 20 Ukrainian banks with 1,022 branches were operating in Crimea before it voted to leave Ukraine and join Russia. The National Bank of Ukraine said the banking sector was worth between $1.7-1.9 billion (20-22 billion hryvnia).
As of April 17, Alfa Bank Ukraine, which is part-owned by Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman, will close its doors, as it can no longer legally operate under the new legislation.
“Alfa Bank no longer can work within the legal framework of the new Ukrainian legislation, and doesn’t have a legal basis for continued operations and provision of banking services in the territory of Crimea,” the bank’s press service said.
Bank customers will be able to close their accounts and return deposit funds, and can still use the bank’s other Ukrainian branches.
Ukraine’s largest bank by assets, Privatbank, shut down operations in Crimea last month, closing all 339 branches on the peninsula. The bank had invested more than $300 million in the region and has $700 million in loans.
The First Ukrainian International Bank, owned by Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov, and Ukrainian state-owned Ukrgasbank will halt operations from April 17.
The Crimean branch of Bank of Cyprus will close April 16, part of an already agreed sale to Fridman’s Alfa bank. The sale was first estimated to fetch around 225 million euro, will likely be cheaper after the turmoil following the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovich in February. The Bank of Cyprus has 39 branches operating in Ukraine, and three in the Crimean cities of Simferopol, Sevastopol, and Yalta.
Western countries which do not recognize the legality in Crimea’s referendum to join Russia have also withdrawn from the region.
On April 15, Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International closed the last six of 32 branches in Crimea, Reuters reported.
Enter Russia
Crimea’s banking overhaul expects to see all Ukrainian banks closed by the end of April, and more than 250 Russian banks open, according to Crimea's First Deputy Prime Minister, Rustam Temirgaliyev.
Russia’s fifteenth largest lender, Bank Rossiya, which has been sanctioned by the US, will open branches in Crimea, according to a report by Kommersant. The bank, which was blocked by Visa and Mastercard, has said its operations will focus on the domestic market, and primarily use the ruble.
Crimea is currently transition its currency from the hryvnia to the ruble.
Sberbank and VTB have already divested from Crimea. Russia’s second biggest lender VTB closed down nearly 75 percent of its Crimea offices, and chief Andrey Kostin said Ukrainian branches are a priority for them.
Sberbank passed some of its offices on the Black Sea peninsula to Russia’s National Commercial Bank (RNCB), Russia’s 609th largest, which has decided to move into the market.
The Moscow-based bank, as of January 1, 2014, held assets of $56 billion, according to RIA Ratings, which tracks Russian banking statistics.
McDonald's, Oil Not only banks are shutting down. On April 4, McDonald’s announced it has closed its restaurants in Crimea, but said the move had "nothing to do with politics."
Lukoil, Russia’s largest independent oil company, owns 7 petrol stations as well as oil storage in Crimea, but hasn’t yet made a public comment on its plans.
In Ukraine, Rosneft, Russia’s biggest oil monopoly, has 41 petrol stations in mainland Ukraine. The company’s CEO, Igor Sechin, has previously said the company will “defend assets” in Ukraine.
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My Crimean wife say People in Crimea With deposits in Ukrainian lost their Money and that the Russian state will cover a certain percentage of the stolen Money, she don't know how much. As for the pension of my MIL who's been With us for 9 months, that is also gone.
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My Crimean wife say People in Crimea With deposits in Ukrainian lost their Money and that the Russian state will cover a certain percentage of the stolen Money, she don't know how much. As for the pension of my MIL who's been With us for 9 months, that is also gone.
Sorry to hear about this.
But I am left to wonder regarding Crimean bank accounts. I am curious why, considering there was more than ample time prior to the referendum, that people did not take their monies out of the bank to avoid this (not about the pension)?
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But I am left to wonder regarding Crimean bank accounts. I am curious why, considering there was more than ample time prior to the referendum, that people did not take their monies out of the bank to avoid this (not about the pension)?
That's a very good question. Wifey say that the husband of her sister (they live in Moscow) did take out their Money before it was too late. I told my wife at the start they should get the Money out, but I guess the husband is smart enough to have figured that out by himself.
MIL must set up a New bank account With a Russian bank when she goes back to Crimea shortly. Putin said in his 4 hour Q&A a few weeks back that the pensions will gradually tripple from that of the former Ukrainian Level of about $ 130 in the case of my MIL. We will of course send her off With Euros so that she will suffer no economic hardships. I just hope the banking situation normalize over time so that we can send her some aid later on, via bank transfers.
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People in Crimea were trying to take their money out of the banks. There were extremely long lines at the banks and still are. There was a very small daily limit that you could withdraw.
The Ukrainian bank told my wife that she would have to go to Kiev in person to obtain her money.
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People in Crimea were trying to take their money out of the banks. There were extremely long lines at the banks and still are. There was a very small daily limit that you could withdraw.
The Ukrainian bank told my wife that she would have to go to Kiev in person to obtain her money.
This makes sense. I guess it was a bank run and if that happens even in the west, they cannot produce all the money and tell people to come back another day or declare a bank holiday. The deposits are of course only guaranteed if not too many people at the same time withdraw their money. In addition to that, the situation in Crimea proved an opportunity for the banks to outright steal money from depositors.
Just one of the good reasons to keep a silver stash privately, right?
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So which is true? people lost all their Ukrainian (see post The Natural) or people need to go to Kiev to get their money (see post Wayne).
There is quite a difference between the two as one implies either the banks, the Russian government or the Ukrainian government has taken all the money, the other implies that the Ukrainian government has told the banks (or the banks have decided) that to prevent a run people can not just go and take their money from the bank in Crimea (probably prudent to save the banking system from collapse and to prevent a lot of Ukrainian being converted into Russian in a very short space of time).
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What a heartless dweeb. . . .
Wayne, what does your wife think of all this?
A lot of people on the Crimea are saying very little about the situation-- with good reason!! For those old enough to know how it was in the Soviet era-- and younger people got the message fast. A lot of social media pages eg VK,Facebook etc-- got altered very fast when the writing was on the wall.
My Crimean wife say People in Crimea With deposits in Ukrainian lost their Money and that the Russian state will cover a certain percentage of the stolen Money, she don't know how much. As for the pension of my MIL who's been With us for 9 months, that is also gone.
That is simply not true but another piece of nonsense propaganda.To state the bleeding blind obvious-- the money is NOT stolen from accounts-- but because of Russian stupidity and incompetence the Ukrainian banks could not continue operating.If an account holder could go to the bank outside of the Crimea-their account will operate as usual.Further to that--some Ukrainian banks are now trying to set up reprocitical arrangements for account holders with Russian owned banks on the Crimea.
Wayne-- you have repeatedly posted incorrect information eg Ukraine cut of electricity/water to Crimea-that was not correct.
In this case--the trains still run .FULL STOP--- what they do not do is run with people on them or efficiently. Thanks again to Russian incompetence and stupidity( apart from being there in the first place!!)-there are long hold ups in crossing the "border". eg Ten passengers only and the train took over 20 hours to clear the "border"!! That was entering the Crimea and I believe they are equally obtuse in leaving--that also applies to roads.
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That is simply not true but another piece of nonsense propaganda.To state the bleeding blind obvious-- the money is NOT stolen from accounts-- but because of Russian stupidity and incompetence the Ukrainian banks could not continue operating.If an account holder could go to the bank outside of the Crimea-their account will operate as usual.Further to that--some Ukrainian banks are now trying to set up reprocitical arrangements for account holders with Russian owned banks on the Crimea.
Yeah, very likely, haha. Just admit it, your neo-nazi friends and their allied ones seized the opportunity to steal money and blame the evil Russians. You expect an old baboska to go to Kiev to get her tiny pension?
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That is simply not true but another piece of nonsense propaganda.To state the bleeding blind obvious-- the money is NOT stolen from accounts-- but because of Russian stupidity and incompetence the Ukrainian banks could not continue operating.If an account holder could go to the bank outside of the Crimea-their account will operate as usual.Further to that--some Ukrainian banks are now trying to set up reprocitical arrangements for account holders with Russian owned banks on the Crimea.
Wayne-- you have repeatedly posted incorrect information eg Ukraine cut of electricity/water to Crimea-that was not correct.
In this case--the trains still run .FULL STOP--- what they do not do is run with people on them or efficiently. Thanks again to Russian incompetence and stupidity( apart from being there in the first place!!)-there are long hold ups in crossing the "border". eg Ten passengers only and the train took over 20 hours to clear the "border"!! That was entering the Crimea and I believe they are equally obtuse in leaving--that also applies to roads.
According to JayH, Wayne and the Natural don't know what they are talking about....but the Honorable Judge JayH does. I thought Wayne and The Natural were posting info they were getting from people directly impacted though?
Fathertime!
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Is the pensions a "Crimea" thing or is this a standard operation for every Ukrainian living in a different country?
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Sorry to hear about this.
But I am left to wonder regarding Crimean bank accounts. I am curious why, considering there was more than ample time prior to the referendum, that people did not take their monies out of the bank to avoid this (not about the pension)?
Blame the victim!
Maybe because they listened to blockheads like you who said their lives would be better under Putin.
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According to JayH, Wayne and the Natural don't know what they are talking about....but the Honorable Judge JayH does. I thought Wayne and The Natural were posting info they were getting from people directly impacted though?
Fathertime!
And your still denying that Russia has invaded Ukraine . . .
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And your still denying that Russia has invaded Ukraine . . .
Let me help you state my position correctly. I do deny that Russia has invaded MAINLAND Ukraine, because they haven't....You believe they have invaded.
And?
Fathertime!
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There is quite a difference between the two as one implies either the banks, the Russian government or the Ukrainian government has taken all the money,
It seems some here don't realize that banks have only a tiny fraction of deposits held as actual cash. Banks lend out the majority of the incoming deposit money to borrowers or buy investments.
No one has necessarily taken all or any of the 'money.'
The question of who takes the 'money' will occur when and if the borrowers repay their loans and the investments mature.
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Let me help you state my position correctly. I do deny that Russia has invaded MAINLAND Ukraine, because they haven't....You believe they have invaded.
And?
Fathertime!
You do know Crimea is connected to mainland Ukraine right or are you also detaching Luhansk and Donetsk from mainland Ukraine? What other Army uses AK 100s? What other news service carries MANPADS? Who is Colonel Igor Girkin? Keep spinning this and tell us you are not for Putin.
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In USA, the FDIC insures accounts up to $250,000. If you go to their website, there is a very long list of FAILED banks. Most of the failed banks are bought out by a larger bank. There are a few that are not, so FDIC pays out to the people who had accounts in that bank.
In Ukraine, Russia and Crimea I don't believe that they have something like FDIC? Perhaps someone knows?
So if a certain bank in Crimea completely failed, the people would lose part or all of their savings.
However, if a certain bank closed their branches in Crimea, but are still in business in Ukraine, people could go to Ukraine to draw out their money. But they could still have a limit on how much you can take out!
So one person's experience does not apply to everyone.
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You do know Crimea is connected to mainland Ukraine right or are you also detaching Luhansk and Donetsk from mainland Ukraine? What other Army uses AK 100s? What other news service carries MANPADS? Who is Colonel Igor Girkin? Keep spinning this and tell us you are not for Putin.
You seem to be quibbling about definitions regarding the location of Crimea…I continue to hold that Russia has not invaded Ukraine, aside from Crimean pennisula…that is what I believe the totality of evidence supports, IF Russia sent rabble-rousers into other areas that is not the same thing as an invasion.
The evidence continues to support that Russia is not interested in owning other parts of Ukraine at this time, but would rather just exert it’s influence. After the vote and the subsequent decisions made by the new leadership, we shall see what the result is. Those that said he was going to, or HAD to invade before the elections appear to be mistaken unless something big happens in the next 3 days with those napping Russian troops on the border.
Fathertime!
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It looks like Russian Federation has a FDIC type coverage, but at a much lower level. I did not find anything about Ukraine, but EU countries have coverage. So it would probably be one of the requirements if Ukraine joins the EU.
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It looks like Russian Federation has a FDIC type coverage, but at a much lower level. I did not find anything about Ukraine, but EU countries have coverage. So it would probably be one of the requirements if Ukraine joins the EU.
IINM, they do...DIS (Deposit Insurance System); IADI. Same, I believe, they have in Europe.
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You seem to be quibbling about definitions regarding the location of Crimea…I continue to hold that Russia has not invaded Ukraine, aside from Crimean pennisula…that is what I believe the totality of evidence supports, IF Russia sent rabble-rousers into other areas that is not the same thing as an invasion.
The evidence continues to support that Russia is not interested in owning other parts of Ukraine at this time, but would rather just exert it’s influence. After the vote and the subsequent decisions made by the new leadership, we shall see what the result is. Those that said he was going to, or HAD to invade before the elections appear to be mistaken unless something big happens in the next 3 days with those napping Russian troops on the border.
Fathertime!
So those little green men in Crimea not an invasion force?
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So those little green men in Crimea not an invasion force?
of course not, they are freedom fighters from across the region who are supporting the seperatists from the goodness of their hearts. They have not been sent by anyone in any way connected to the russian government, they have at their own free will decided to put their life on the line to fight for a cause they strongly believe in (or course, what one would call freedom fighters another would call terrorists, either way they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause which in reality does not affect them directly or even indirectly, a bit like Islamic brothers from the west going to help their Islamic brothers in Syria)
On a more serious note, I am not entirely sure you could call the little green men an invasion force. Seems more like a recon force to pave the way for the invasion force, although it also looks like that Recon force is now being left high and dry by the delay or cancellation of the invasion.
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So those little green men in Crimea not an invasion force?
How you ever come to your conclusions based on what I wrote seems to provide evidence that you are not comprehending very well...If you are not comprehending well then it stands to reason that not many will put merit into such ill-informed posts regarding 'interpretations' of what others viewpoints are.
Fathertime!
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Its a yes or no questions. Fathertime. You can interpret it by answering it.
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Its a yes or no questions. Fathertime. You can interpret it by answering it.
Given your history and what I believe to be intentional misstatements, I have no intention on answering the majority of your questions. I’ve stated my point regarding the lack of an invasion outside of Crimea, without making a game of 20 questions out of it. If you have a point to make, you are free to make it, as I’m not interested in playing into your games. I’m not trying to convince you to change your position as whatever you want to think is fine by me.
Fathertime!
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Privatbank seems to have failed in Crimea. We do not have an account in this bank, but we know someone who does. Russia's Security Fund is issuing coupons up to about 700,000 RU. That is, who knows when people will get their money?
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Given your history and what I believe to be intentional misstatements, I have no intention on answering the majority of your questions. I’ve stated my point regarding the lack of an invasion outside of Crimea, without making a game of 20 questions out of it. If you have a point to make, you are free to make it, as I’m not interested in playing into your games. I’m not trying to convince you to change your position as whatever you want to think is fine by me.
Fathertime!
OK, well who is Colonel Igor Girkin (Strelkov)? The Donetsk Republic has AK 100? Which other army uses AK 100? Which journalist agency carries MANPADS?
You are the most eloquent Putinist and you cannot answer simple questions. Live with it.
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OK, well who is Colonel Igor Girkin (Strelkov)? The Donetsk Republic has AK 100? Which other army uses AK 100? Which journalist agency carries MANPADS?
You are the most eloquent Putinist and you cannot answer simple questions. Live with it.
It is somewhat amusing that me and my views have become so important to you. I'm not concerned about your viewpoint or questions. ..I don't find you in particular to be rational or worthwhile to discuss things with, so i try to minimize dialogue with my 'fanboy' and move on to more coherent posters of which there are plenty.
Fathertime!
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I think the lady doth project too much.
You can't defend your point of view. At this point, your allies go into nasty name calling mode where as you don't go below snark.
There will be an election. It will be legitimate. Poroshenko will be President. Not because the Benghazi bitch wants it but because the people want it. Russia has gained 2 million Crimeans and lost 43 million Ukrainians. All of Europe is alerted to Putin. The buddy buddy days are over. Now it is confrontation or denial. Russia signed a gas deal with China. Russians hate the Chinese more than they hate Americans.
Rogozin - the chief hawk in the Kremlin will probably provoke Europe (and Ukraine is in Europe now) whether it is in Ukraine, Moldova or the Baltics, at best some bad press (more negative Economic consequences) or a counter military escalation. This isn't Georgia in 2008. The only thing Putin has going for him is Obama is President, whoever his successor is, assuming there is one will take a hawkish stance to Russia, which is where I think the conversation should really turn.
What will the next President do about Russia? I suggest the following. The Russian people should remove Putin. Secondly, Russia will be partioned. Third, Russia will be disarmed of her nuclear arsenal. Fourth, she will no longer reside of the permanent Security Council. It she will have a chance at peace, prosperity and freedom. Something only whispered since the Czars.
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Has anyone looked at the website: "Crimea Inform News Agency"?
Of course, the news is slanted!
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I think the lady doth project too much.
You can't defend your point of view. At this point, your allies go into nasty name calling mode where as you don't go below snark.
Lordy,
Isn't calling nasty names your tactic?
I'll up the ante.. you're nuthin butt (sic) a gay cuck!
and guess what... I don't even care.
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I think the lady doth project too much.
You can't defend your point of view. At this point, your allies go into nasty name calling mode where as you don't go below snark.
There will be an election. It will be legitimate. Poroshenko will be President. Not because the Benghazi bitch wants it but because the people want it. Russia has gained 2 million Crimeans and lost 43 million Ukrainians. All of Europe is alerted to Putin. The buddy buddy days are over. Now it is confrontation or denial. Russia signed a gas deal with China. Russians hate the Chinese more than they hate Americans.
Rogozin - the chief hawk in the Kremlin will probably provoke Europe (and Ukraine is in Europe now) whether it is in Ukraine, Moldova or the Baltics, at best some bad press (more negative Economic consequences) or a counter military escalation. This isn't Georgia in 2008. The only thing Putin has going for him is Obama is President, whoever his successor is, assuming there is one will take a hawkish stance to Russia, which is where I think the conversation should really turn.
What will the next President do about Russia? I suggest the following. The Russian people should remove Putin. Secondly, Russia will be partioned. Third, Russia will be disarmed of her nuclear arsenal. Fourth, she will no longer reside of the permanent Security Council. It she will have a chance at peace, prosperity and freedom. Something only whispered since the Czars.
:clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Now on the eve of the elections lets hope that putler will stay in his own backyard and Ukraine can go and find their own future w/o Russia on her back telling her what to do.
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:clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Now on the eve of the elections lets hope that putler will stay in his own backyard and Ukraine can go and find their own future w/o Russia on her back telling her what to do.
Thank you Mike.
Merkel and Hollande called Putler, they both told him to back off. Hollands has the Mistral ship it still intends to sell Putler and Merkel went to St. Pete on behalf of German business. Obama is dealing with the VA scandal. So Putler's room to maneuver has shrunk considerably. But UKIP will make gains in the British government and Ukraine's antiterrorist operation makes progress the balance of power on the ground may provoke the 61 year old hockey player to "save his guys."
I would like to see Ukraine not only regain Crimea, I would like the Kuban Cossacks to join Ukraine and make it bigger. Why don't we put it to a vote?
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That should read France that's got the contract for the Mistral ships to Russian.
I'm glad for the times that I've already visited Krim but after this there's no way that I'll ever return as long as it's under Russian control. IF (and it's a long shot) Krim is returned to Ukraine and the international sanctions hold for more than the attention span of a gnat... I will consider retiring there outside of one of the bigger towns. Bellakalava comes to mind.. :D
Until then I'll still look at central UA along the Dnieper where my friends and family are located.
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There is serious food shortages in Crimea now. Ukraine hasn't cut electricity and water yet. I don't see Russia holding Crimea for much longer despite the back room reassurances of the Janus-faced West. Agree?
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There is serious food shortages in Crimea now.
What's the source of this information? :D
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http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/09/crimea-adapt-life-russia-putin
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There is serious food shortages in Crimea now. Ukraine hasn't cut electricity and water yet. I don't see Russia holding Crimea for much longer despite the back room reassurances of the Janus-faced West. Agree?
Nowhere within that link you provided was it stated there was a food shortage.
Here is an excerpt within the link you provided:
"There's enough food, but it's expensive," she said.
[/color][/size]Food prices are likely to go up further due to problems with local agriculture and with deliveries from Russia and Ukraine. At the moment, delivery trucks from Russia can only reach Crimea via a ferry across the Kerch strait. Lines of trucks there and at the new border with Ukraine, where most of Crimea's food comes from, have reportedly grown several hours long.[/font]
[/color][/size][/font]
[/color][/size]Fathertime! [/font]
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Tell us again about the win win . . .
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Tell us again about the win win . . .
Your ‘response’ (lack thereof) indicates you have been caught in another gross misstatement (lie)…You have shown zero honor, and it is my pleasure to merely point it out. I quoted the article YOU provided. Your earlier statement was proven to be yet another lie. It has once again been demonstrated that you lack honor, and will misstate (lie) about both articles and fellow posters, instead of being truthful and providing good information for people to decide what they believe based on good information. Tsk tsk tsk!
Fathertime!
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http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/09/crimea-adapt-life-russia-putin (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/09/crimea-adapt-life-russia-putin)
We don't have any shortages of food. The prices are impressing for meat and some vegetables, that is thruth.But there is no shortage at all. I can make photos or video from the markets)
As to water, again not truth. Ukraine cut off water about already a month ago and even built some kind of dam.
(http://s019.radikal.ru/i639/1405/02/8b4bc2eb96f3.jpg) (http://www.radikal.ru)
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I read that the dam was built because the water bill wasn't paid. Something over a million USD? Any water company anywhere would do the same and shut off your water unless you pay the bill.
Why should Ukraine bother to supply and electricity, water, or anything to Krim now?
It Russia's problem.
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I read that the dam was built because the water bill wasn't paid. Something over a million USD? Any water company anywhere would do the same and shut off your water unless you pay the bill.
Why should Ukraine bother to supply and electricity, water, or anything to Krim now?
It Russia's problem.
Absolutely right. Even here in the states, you don't pay your bills, the utility companies won't give a second thought to turning off power or water, etc....
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Here's some news from Simferopol about the empty store shelves there.
http://life.pravda.com.ua/society/2014/05/23/169375/
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Since we touched on the topic of the water supply to Krim I was thinking that the price of the water could be arbitrarily be raised to be equal the the arbitrary price that Russia jacked up the gas bill to Ukraine.
Hey, after all fair is fair right? Turn about is fair play!
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I read that the dam was built because the water bill wasn't paid. Something over a million USD? Any water company anywhere would do the same and shut off your water unless you pay the bill.
Why should Ukraine bother to supply and electricity, water, or anything to Krim now?
It Russia's problem.
I'd say Ukraine has the right to raise the water price to whatever they feel like they want to…or to cut off service altogether if they choose. Russia needs to pay for the services for the region now that they have claimed it. That said, Ukraine also needs to pay their gas bill also. Have the Russians been complaining about cut off of water, or paying the bill? I hadn't heard anything like that. If they are complaining about paying, I’d like to know their reasoning because it would seem ridiculous on the surface.
Fathertime!
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I read that the dam was built because the water bill wasn't paid. Something over a million USD? Any water company anywhere would do the same and shut off your water unless you pay the bill.
Why should Ukraine bother to supply and electricity, water, or anything to Krim now?
It Russia's problem.
It's completely untrue. Ukraine was offered to ask any price for water and Russia would pay. The package of documents that is needed to make a deal was sent to Kiev 5 times already and each time returned without any note at all. They refuse tonegotiate on the subject so it's not the question of debt, it's just a question of revenge, nothing more^)
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Here's some news from Simferopol about the empty store shelves there.
http://life.pravda.com.ua/society/2014/05/23/169375/ (http://life.pravda.com.ua/society/2014/05/23/169375/)
google a little, there are also photo on inet with the same empty shelves made in the USA after tornado. they are also presented as empty shelves in Crimea)
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It's completely untrue. Ukraine was offered to ask any price for water and Russia would pay. The package of documents that is needed to make a deal was sent to Kiev 5 times already and each time returned without any note at all. They refuse tonegotiate on the subject so it's not the question of debt, it's just a question of revenge, nothing more^)
So do you really think that Russia will pay ANY price for water for Krim? LOL,
How about twice the present gas bill per month? Water's certainly not that expensive unless you get very thirsty.. Then it's priceless!
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So do you really think that Russia will pay ANY price for water for Krim? LOL,
How about twice the present gas bill per month? Water's certainly not that expensive unless you get very thirsty.. Then it's priceless!
They made a dam, so Russia won't pay anything already) During the month the urgent works were completed so not a single location in Crimea is not dependent now on the water in the sence of getting thirsty. This water was used mainly for irrigation, about 85%of irrigation water was from this channel, so I believe agriculture sector will be half dead for some time.
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The canal is 400 km long. it's downhill so pumps aren't needed but the last 100 kms are uphill. Since the 'annexation' the pumps weren't serviced nor started by the Ukrainians. (Why should they?)
The dam was made in the last couple of weeks not since the invasion started. And I have been told that it was recently taken down after Putler coughed up some cash.
The crop failure is Russia's problem.
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hmmmmm...
Tourist industry already dead, now as per justme100 the agricultural section is dying as well.
What industries are left in Krim and which one will go up in smoke next I wonder...
Will Crimea's drop in GDP this year be worst than that of mainland Ukraine?
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What's the source of this information? :D
The source of information is from many of us that have property, family, and friends in Crimea. We do not need media sources to verify the conditions in Crimea. The information comes from ordinary people living there. I consider it much more reliable than a Russian propagandist that comes to a forum to spread the Kremlin line of BS.
Hopefully, after Crimea is returned to Ukraine you can can found and deported to your 'Mother Russia'.
Here is a link that spells out fairly accurately what we are told by local residents trapped in Crimea.
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/business/crimeans-get-russian-price-shock-348955.html
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From what I've heard the old folks, the pensioners, are the ones hit hardest with the food prices. They were promised Russian pensions ( about 5X the Ukrainian ones) yet haven't seen one kopek of the promise..
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Hopefully, after Crimea is returned to Ukraine you can can found and deported to your 'Mother Russia'.
:D
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From what I've heard the old folks, the pensioners, are the ones hit hardest with the food prices. They were promised Russian pensions ( about 5X the Ukrainian ones) yet haven't seen one kopek of the promise..
Very true!
Putin's promises are like all the other ones. Anytime he opens his mouth, you know he is lying. Just like the assurances he gave weeks ago that he was immediately pulling his troops back from the border. What a liar. Even Khruschev did not tell so bold of lies.
Do you really think Russia is going to spend billions of dollars on infrastructure on a property that is in question if it will remain in Russia's hands? The smart thing for Russia to do is to dole out piddly little assistance and projects to have the appearance of doing something. Not until the end of the 'wait and see' will they do anything significant. Considering all of the reports about the Russian economy, it's unlikely they would have the money to keep their promises in Crimea in the for-seeable future.
Not only has Russia created deplorable conditions for the residents of Crimea, they also have killed the tourist trade. My wife reports that the tourist trade is dead in Yalta and the beaches are empty. The local residents that depend on the summer tourist trade to sustain them for the rest of the year are in dire straits. There are numerous written news reports that confirm this condition.
Any Ukrainian citizen that thinks life will be better in Russia should pack their bags and move there. The door was open prior to the conflicts and they chose to stay in Ukraine. Not until Putin stirred the pot was there a problem. Offering pro-Russian Ukrainian citizens the option of moving to Russia is no different than offering the Ukrainian citizens in Crimea the option to move to the mainland after the invasion by Russia!
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Not until Putin stirred the pot was there a problem. Offering pro-Russian Ukrainian citizens the option of moving to Russia is no different than offering the Ukrainian citizens in Crimea the option to move to the mainland after the invasion by Russia!
Don't forget the stacked deck for the vote about annexation.. After all 123% is a good turn out since less than 20% of the locals really voted.
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I'm amused reading about empty shelves in Crimea. OK, guys need their small malicious joy, we're all humans, so I have no intentions to break their misbelief :)
I decided to send my family in health resort with mineral mud baths near Saky, west part of Crimea.
(http://on7sky.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Kryim-Saki-lechebnoe-ozero.jpg)
Main problem is transportation. Usual train routes through Ukraine are disrupted, and new lines are in stage of arrangement that takes time. The most convenient way to get there is by flights, however it seems all direct flights from Moscow are bought in advance till July, except business class. I have to use connection flights.
Well, we have to pay price, no regrets :)
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Cool! :clapping:
At least the resorts and beaches won't be crowded! :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
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I'm amused reading about empty shelves in Crimea. OK, guys need their small malicious joy, we're all humans, so I have no intentions to break their misbelief :)
I decided to send my family in health resort with mineral mud baths near Saky, west part of Crimea.
(http://on7sky.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Kryim-Saki-lechebnoe-ozero.jpg)
Main problem is transportation. Usual train routes through Ukraine are disrupted, and new lines are in stage of arrangement that takes time. The most convenient way to get there is by flights, however it seems all direct flights from Moscow are bought in advance till July, except business class. I have to use connection flights.
Well, we have to pay price, no regrets :)
Are those in the picture your family?
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It's an advert pic from a resort site.
http://on7sky.com/
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Crimea Act II
the dons meet to discuss how to divide Crimea
http://www.mk.ru/incident/2014/05/25/podrobnosti-vorovskoy-shodki-v-moskve-mafiozi-obsuzhdali-kak-delit-kryim.html
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A lot more flights from Moscow to Simferopol have been added, including some low-cost ones. There is a new airlines.
University tuition has increased, while the number of students has decreased.
Costs of building materials has increased, as most other goods.
Number of tourists is way down!
Good news! It only took three hours to fill out the RF visa petition on-line.
It looks like the two girls have the whole beach to themselves. Hope the stones don't hurt their tender feet.
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Nice to hear your reports Wayne. Thank you.
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The drop in tourism this year was expected. Once the tensions are over and a special visa and tax regime is made things will pick up.
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The drop in tourism this year was expected. Once the tensions are over and a special visa and tax regime is made things will pick up.
Needing a visa is something that should be dropped in Crimea. Let that be a visa free zone. That would get them more money anyway by increased tourism. Russians can be such blockheads.
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Needing a visa is something that should be dropped in Crimea. Let that be a visa free zone. That would get them more money anyway by increased tourism. Russians can be such blockheads.
That would be exactly my suggestion. Make Crimea a visa free zone, as well as a tax haven which would make consumer goods cheap. With some new infrastructure that would boost tourism through the roof.
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Maybe Crimea, Abkhazia, South Ossentia, Dagestan, maybe to pick up tourism, they just need some good graphics:
(http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the-sopranos-2_7524.jpg)
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That would be exactly my suggestion. Make Crimea a visa free zone, as well as a tax haven which would make consumer goods cheap. With some new infrastructure that would boost tourism through the roof.
I ran such ideas across a Russian businessman and he said to me "We don't think like that."
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Maybe Crimea, Abkhazia, South Ossentia, Dagestan, maybe to pick up tourism, they just need some good graphics:
(http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the-sopranos-2_7524.jpg)
I am part New Jersey Sicilian (on my mother's side) and that looks like my family. My daughters tell me I look like Tony Soprano.
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I ran such ideas across a Russian businessman and he said to me "We don't think like that."
As some already suspect me of being on the Kremlin payroll, time to become economic advisor. ;D
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That would be exactly my suggestion. Make Crimea a visa free zone, as well as a tax haven which would make consumer goods cheap. With some new infrastructure that would boost tourism through the roof.
Hell, visa free and turn that area into an Eastern European version of Atlantic City/Monte Carlo resort, it can definitely boost the Crimeans livelihood and living standard overnight. Once they complete something like that, then demand heavy visa vedding for Americans and Ukrainians. Create a prolonged waiting period prior to issuance.
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Rather than the visa issue, probably the main hindrance to attracting western tourists back is the current western media portrait of Putin & Russia and the lack of direct flights from Europe into Crimea. The Russian mafia probably will be very supportive of the idea of turning the area into a casino town.
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The Russian mafia probably will be . . .
Seriously, is that where you want to spend your vacay?
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I am part New Jersey Sicilian (on my mother's side) and that looks like my family. My daughters tell me I look like Tony Soprano.
I hope not - he's dead! :o
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4POA0_TjWaI
"Putin's plan for Crimean Tatars is clear", Borys Wrzesnewskyj
Comments by Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Toronto, Canada, 31 May 2014.
- 0:25 Mustafa Dzhemilev receives Poland's first human rights award, Lech Walesa Solidarity award, Warsaw, Poland
- 1:04 Mustafa Dzhemilev meets US President Barack Obama
- 1:30 Situation in Crimea is worsening
- 1:58 Русское Единство (Russian Unity). Сергей Аксёнов (Sergey Aksyonov) criminal connections, Crimean criminal gangs
- 3:00 Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
- 3:16 Raw video footage of Russians abducting Crimean Tatar human rights activist Reshat Ametov. Ametov was found tortured and murdered two weeks later.
- 3:56 Stalin's ethnic cleansing policy.
Video sponsored by the Chair of Ukrainian Studies University of Toronto.
Event sponsored by
Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation
St. Vladimir Institute
The Temerty Family
Timothy Easton Memorial Church
Borys Wresznewskyj
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
http://www.temc.ca
Deportation of the Crimean Tatars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportat...
Crimean Tatars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_...
Крымские татары, Кримськi татари, Mustafa Dzhemilev, Mostafa Cämilev, Мустафа Джемілєв
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This explains why Crimeans are so nutty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEdFZTtY7vo
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Russian Federation passed the Dima Yakovlev Law which bans citizens of USA from adopting children from Russia. Now that Crimea is taken, that law also applies to Krim.
Some weeks ago, I read a story about a 16 year old girl who was that last child from Crimea adopted by an American family.
Years ago when I first started writing to women from other countries, I was involved with a woman from Simferopol. Her mother ran an orphanage in Simferopol. I got some first hand information about these children. I had contact with an American family who had previously adopted several children from Ukraine.
So it seems that a small percent of families who abused their adopted children have ruined it for everyone.
There is a local family here who adopted two sisters when they were teenagers. These two girls became friends with our daughter. The family runs an old folks home and basically uses these sisters as free labor to help care for these old people. The girls birth mother is alive, but she is a drunk and unable to care for her daughters.
It seems like instead of this Dima Yakovlev Law they should have insisted on more complete investigations of US families wanting to adopt Russian children. Perhaps they could have had a trial period where the US family lives in Russia with the child for a certain length of time before the adoption becomes final? From the Russian side, they could make sure that the prospective family knows about any medical or mental problem that the child might have.
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Wayne, I think you are getting your head all screwed up by your newly formed Russian connection.
There are some adopted children abused in USA . . . no matter what the previous citizenship of the children.
But the percentage of such abused adopted children in USA is miniscule.
Now, look at the percentage of orphaned children in Russia who are abused . . . it will be many times the percentage of such in USA.
Natural born children of USA parents (and parents around the world) have been working in family businesses since the beginning of time.
Why should adopted children not also be part of this family work????
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It was never about US families abusing adopted children from Russia. It was about keeping Russians in Russia, plain and simple. My niece is from Arkhangelsk. My sister and her husband adopted her when she was 18 months old. She graduated high school this year and is a beauty!
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The sisters were 14 and 15 years old when they entered USA. The American couple did not send the sisters to school. The state law says you must attend school until you are 16 years old or have graduated from high school.
These sisters are in their early 20's now. They do not have:
driver's license
state I.D. card
social security card
green card
Their English ability has not improved much because they were isolated from society.
However, I think they are still much better off than they would have been if they were put out on the street at 16 in Ukraine. At least they have a roof over their head and something to eat.
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However, I think they are still much better off than they would have been if they were put out on the street at 16 in Ukraine. At least they have a roof over their head and something to eat.
Now you are getting it.
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My wife says that tourists are down by 75% this summer. The beaches are empty. Art galleries are all closed. She sold only one piece.
But the weather is hot and sunny; there is a lot of fresh fruit. The fish are biting, and you can have the whole lake to yourself.
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My wife says that tourists are down by 75% this summer. The beaches are empty. Art galleries are all closed. She sold only one piece.
But the weather is hot and sunny; there is a lot of fresh fruit. The fish are biting, and you can have the whole lake to yourself.
Sounds like the pro-Putin bunch can get some good deals on hotels and such in Crimea. Who will be the first to go and then report back?
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I will probably be the only one on this forum to venture there this summer, but we won't be staying at any hotel. Our new place is a short walk to the sea. We will travel around by car. Planning a camping/fishing trip. Might eat in restaurants a few times. Going to visit with wife's family.
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http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/11/17/crimea-human-rights-decline
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I found this interesting information about the banking problems:
By Steve Stecklow, Elizabeth Piper and Oleksandr Akymenko
SIMFEROPOL Crimea (Reuters) - Outside a high-rise building on the outskirts of this disputed region's capital, a steady stream of frustrated residents exited a government office, clutching folders of bank records and shaking their heads in disgust.
"They are not returning the money," complained Margarita Pobudilova, a 77-year-old retired factory worker who for months has been unable to access more than $3,000 of her life savings.
Ten months after Russia invaded this Black Sea peninsula and seized it from Ukraine, the financial fallout is still being felt. Thousands of ordinary citizens have little or no access to their funds. Losses for Ukrainian banks continue to mount as billions of dollars worth of loans they issued in Crimea go unpaid. Lawyers for the banks are preparing legal actions against Russia, which confiscated many of the banks' buildings, equipment and cash
Meanwhile, Crimea has been thrust into a kind of technological time warp: Most ATMs no longer accept non-Russian bank cards; foreign credit cards can't be used to buy things. Most non-local mobile phones can't receive a signal. And even if they could, calling other Crimeans is complicated: Most of the peninsula's residents recently had to get new mobile phone numbers because Ukrainian services were cut off.
The banking and phone chaos are another front in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
In Crimea, which has been part of Ukraine for 60 years, Russia has basically blown up the existing banking system, forcing Ukrainian banks to close, banning the Ukrainian currency and replacing the region's retail banking network almost overnight. The resulting economic turmoil has shuttered some businesses and complicated life for thousands, forcing people to deal with a Kafkaesque bureaucracy to try to get their money returned.
For all the havoc Russian President Vladimir Putin's conquest has caused, many living here don't blame him for their hardship. In interviews, residents accused Ukrainian banks and the government in Kiev of stealing their money. That distrust indicates – at least for now – a victory for Russia in the propaganda war and suggests that Kiev's chances of regaining the peninsula soon are slim.
The international community has condemned Russia's annexation of Crimea, with the United States and the European Union imposing economic sanctions on Russian individuals, companies and banks. Russia has retaliated with its own sanctions and support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Andriy Pyshnyy is chairman of the management board of Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank, which until March had 296 branches in Crimea. He described how one day they were taken over by Russian banks. "In the evening (our) outlets work," he said. "In the morning, a new bank is opened and just the name is changed to RNCB Bank." Russian National Commercial Bank is one of at least 30 Russian banks that have rushed in to fill Crimea's financial vacuum
Many in Crimea – where average monthly wages last year were less than $400 – still can't access their Ukrainian bank accounts.
The situation was exacerbated in April when Putin offered Crimeans who had leased their cars through Privatbank, Ukraine's largest bank, some unusual financial advice.
Toward the end of a live television broadcast in which Putin answered viewers' questions, he dipped his hand into a folder and read out this one: "I hired a car on lease from Privatbank. It will take me only two years to repay the loan," he said. "Privatbank no longer operates in Crimea. What am I supposed to do?"
The president's answer: "Please use the car and don't worry."
The remark may have been related to an ongoing feud between Putin and Ihor Kolomoisky, one of Privatbank's largest shareholders. Russia has accused Kolomoisky of funding Ukrainian battalions fighting the separatists.
In any case, following Putin's suggestion, thousands of individuals and companies that had borrowed money from Ukrainian banks stopped repaying their loans.
"If the ruler of the country told them not to pay, why would they pay?" asked Alexander Dubilet, chairman of Privatbank, which had lent more than $1 billion in Crimea.
In all, Ukrainian banks had loaned Crimean businesses and individuals about $1.8 billion at the time Crimea was annexed, according to Ukraine's central bank.
Pyshnyy of Oschadbank says "99.99 percent" of its loans in Crimea - which totaled more than $500 million - are now delinquent
The surge in bad loans has made it more difficult for Ukrainian banks to repay Crimean depositors, according to an official with Ukraine's central bank. The fact that the Russians also seized many of their branch offices and records didn't help, either. "To function properly, we need ... access to our branch network, our outlets, our ATMs, to our documents, our files," Pyshnyy said.
FROZEN FUNDS
To help Crimeans, Moscow has been compensating depositors with accounts at Ukrainian banks through a fund that insures Russian bank deposits. According to the Fund for the Protection of Depositors in Crimea, which is part of Russia's Deposit Insurance Agency, as of Nov. 6 it had paid out more than $500 million to 196,400 depositors.
The compensation is capped. Yevgenia Bavykina, Crimea's new deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs, told Reuters last month that depositors were owed more than $425 million in part because the fund has a limit of about $15,000 per bank account.
She said the fund still hopes to repay depositors the rest of their money by selling property confiscated from Ukrainian banks. Crimea's government also is urging people who took out loans to repay them to the deposit protection fund, rather than to Ukrainian banks. Expressing confidence they will comply, she said, "People here are notable for their decency and their volunteering
Bavykina said the fund has compensated most people who have applied. In thousands of cases, however, it has had difficulty verifying exactly how much money was on deposit, she said.
With no Ukrainian bank branches left operating in Crimea, the required verification records often aren't available, frustrated Crimeans say.
Pobudilova, the retired factory worker, had invested about $3,600 in a one-month deposit at Ukraine's Kyiv Rus Bank in February. By the time her investment matured, the Russians had invaded Crimea, and Ukrainian banks were being forced out. She said she has no access to the money because the bank blocked her debit card.
She applied to the deposit protection fund, but was told it could not compensate her unless her investment contract with her bank was extended. The fund advised her to write to Kyiv Rus Bank.
Her grandson, Vladimir, said she tried to contact the bank. "They did not even want to talk to her," he said.
Kyiv Rus Bank declined to comment
Pobudilova said she had planned to give the money to her grandchildren but now doesn't know what to do. "The fund is saying I am supposed to receive the extended contract from the bank," she said. "I'm 77 years old. I'm not able to deal with that."
"I WILL LOSE LOTS OF MONEY"
In another case, a retiree named Iryna, who declined to provide her last name, said she has no access to more than $100,000 on deposit at Privatbank and has received no satisfaction from either the fund or the bank.
She said her problems began with her passport. She has lived in Crimea for 40 years but had replaced her passport two years ago in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, after the pages split apart. The new passport stated she lived in Kiev.
After the annexation, she said, "I realized I was in trouble." She said she spent months trying to change her passport to list her address in Crimea, eventually going to court
When she tried to withdraw her money from Privatbank, she said the bank only offered her a five-year savings agreement that paid 7 percent annual interest – much less than Ukraine's annual inflation rate. She said she refused. Privatbank said it could not comment on the specifics of her case without more information.
By the time she won her court case and obtained an official document stating she is a Crimea resident, she said she had missed the deposit protection fund's deadline for applying.
The fund is now offering her only partial compensation. "I will lose lots of money," she said. "And I need that money for my son's education."
ANY CHEATING?
Legally, Ukrainian banks are required to repay Crimean depositors because Ukraine does not recognize the Russian annexation, said Oleksandr Pysaruk, first deputy governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, the country's central bank. But he said the hundreds of millions of dollars in delinquent loans make that difficult
If you're liable on the savings but the loans don't get repaid, you've got a capital hole," he said.
Ukrainian banks' policies towards their Crimean customers vary. Some give priority to Crimeans who have moved to other parts of Ukraine. But only 19,150 people out of a population of nearly two million have migrated, according to Ukraine's Ministry for Social Policy. As for delinquent loans, Privatbank is continuing to charge interest; Oschadbank's chairman says his bank isn't. "We want to understand the position of the borrowers," said Pyshnyy.
Executives with state-controlled Ukrgasbank in Kiev, which had 11 branches in Crimea, said any of its customers there could travel to other parts of Ukraine and withdraw their deposits. By August, depositors had withdrawn 80 percent of the $25 million in funds on deposit.
Oschadbank has a similar policy of allowing customers to access their funds elsewhere in Ukraine, and "is the only bank in Ukraine where the individuals' funds and placements are guaranteed by the state for 100 percent," said Pyshnyy. He said the bank carefully checks records submitted by customers, especially those who still reside in Crimea. "We want to be sure about any cheating of the bank by customers."
Pysaruk, the central bank official, said some Crimeans have tried to double-dip by seeking compensation from both the Russian fund and Ukrainian banks. "We don't have numbers, but they were not just random occasions," he said
Privatbank, which in Crimea had 321,000 clients with deposits, has suspended all of its bank accounts there. Crimeans who have moved elsewhere in Ukraine can receive part of their deposits back, Dubilet said. For those still living in Crimea, "we're asking our clients to wait some time until we have solved these issues iRUSSIAN PRESSURE
How long that will take remains unclear.
The Crimean protection fund said it has paid out more than $250 million to 109,300 Privatbank customers. But Privatbank and other banks do not know which of their depositors have been reimbursed or how much.
Privatbank chairman Dubilet said the Russians seized more than $150 million of the bank's real estate and equipment, $30 million from its safes and another $10 million from its ATMs. In April, Privatbank sold its Moscow subsidiary, saying it was the victim of "unprecedented political pressure" by Russian authorities.
Dubilet said Privatbank hasn't yet calculated its total losses in Crimea. He said its lawyers are considering legal action against Russia in several jurisdictions. Meanwhile, a Crimean court ruled this week that Privatbank owes local depositors $232 million and should pay them back.
Privatbank's problems in Russia and Crimea appear to be related to a nasty spat between Putin and Kolomoisky, a billionaire businessman who is one of the bank's largest shareholders.
In March, after Kolomoisky was appointed governor of a region in eastern Ukraine, Putin called him "a unique imposter." In telling Crimeans not to worry about car loans owed to Privatbank, Putin added, "If Mr. Kolomoisky and Mr. Finkelshtein don't want your money, it's their problem." Boris Finkelshtein is the former head of Privatbank's Crimea operations
Russian authorities later launched a criminal case against Kolomoisky, issuing an arrest warrant, confiscating some of his property in Russia and accusing him of organizing and funding Ukrainian forces in the separatist conflict. The case remains open.
At a press conference in March, Kolomoisky referred to Putin as "completely unstable, completely mad. He has this messianic urge to restore the Russian empire to the borders of 1913 or the Soviet Union to the borders of 1991."
Kolomoisky didn't respond to a request for comment
Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said the president had no conflict with Kolomoisky. "The only thing is that Mr. Kolomoisky is sponsoring units of extremists in the eastern regions (of Ukraine). This is the problem, and this is the reason why he's being treated in Russia as a guy sponsoring extremists."
As for Putin's suggestion not to repay loans to Privatbank, Peskov said the president was referring to the fact that the banks' branches were closed. "That's the meaning: because if you don't have any branch to make a payment then you don't pay."
The tensions between Kiev and Moscow will make it harder to solve problems like the one Ukraine's central bank faces. The Russians did not confiscate the central bank's building in Simferopol, but the bank has no access to about $250 million in Ukrainian currency in its vault.
Pysaruk, the first deputy governor, said the bank has held discussions with Russia's central bank and while the Russians indicated they might be willing to buy the building and return the cash, no agreement has been reached.
Calling the annexation of Crimea "a land grab," Pysaruk said Russia should be responsible for all costs, including compensating Ukrainian banks for their losses. "The simplest way, if you ask me, would be for the Russians to pick up the check for everything," he said.
(Additional reporting by Natalia Zinets in Kiev,; Maya Nikolaeva in Paris and Michael Shields; in Vienna; Edited by Simon Robinson)
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Crimea should be returned Ukraine.
Більше читайте тут: http://tsn.ua/politika/rosiyskiy-politik-zaklikav-povernuti-krim-ukrayini-397306.html
Crimea should be returned Ukraine. This was stated by Russian politician Grigory Yavlinsky, founder of "Apple". In his view, it is necessary to create between Russia and Ukraine "safety belt" with international observers regulate economic relations with trade and supply of gas and abandon the Crimea, "that the problem is not Russia pursued a lifetime." "We need to say so, not our Crimea", - said Yavlinsky said, adding that the only way to prevent war. To do this, consider policies should make legitimate referendum on the status of Crimea organized by Ukrainian laws. He also said that Russia is hovering over two global threat - the war and the collapse of the economy. To avoid this, it is necessary to begin negotiations with the Ukraine, to withdraw from the territory of the country of mercenaries and techniques to achieve security and public.
Більше читайте тут: http://tsn.ua/politika/rosiyskiy-politik-zaklikav-povernuti-krim-ukrayini-397306.html
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Rule of law, Russian style.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/world/seizing-assets-in-crimea-from-shipyard-to-film-studio.html
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Since Russia invaded Crimea , Ukraine suffered a loss of at least 1 trillion USD
Більше читайте тут: http://tsn.ua/groshi/okupaciya-rosiyeyu-krimu-vililasya-ukrayini-zbitkami-u-ponad-trilyon-griven-petrenko-398157.html
"Currently available figure formed earlier losses relating to the Crimea. There are more than a trillion USD. This 1 trillion 80 billion USD, and clearly understand the need to count the losses on the Eastern Ukraine," - said Petrenko. Clarifying the damage caused to the state in the Donbass, the minister said that "such a calculation is not performed because physical access to those facilities in order to assess the real damage, no."
Більше читайте тут: http://tsn.ua/groshi/okupaciya-rosiyeyu-krimu-vililasya-ukrayini-zbitkami-u-ponad-trilyon-griven-petrenko-398157.html
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January 21, 2015, 12:40 Kiev
Sevgil Musaeva-Borovik, "Just say that Crimea - Ukraine is not enough"
What do you think of Crimea will return to Ukraine?
- You know, recently I realized that the Crimea will be back! Required! Before there were more pessimistic views on what is happening there.
- And as a result, such a change of views took place?
- I was at a conference in Lviv, which tells about the Crimea. I was approached by a very young student, and we chatted with her for a long time, then said that the Crimea would return sooner or later. She compared the Crimea with the phone, which was left without its only charger. The phone was taken away, and the appropriate charging him there but the same. Very simple, but very accurate analogy.
http://ru.krymr.com/content/article/26802074.html
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I had an interesting couple of days this week, as I had a few dinners with some famous Ukrainian artists in town researching a project. One of the researchers on the team, who is from Western Ukraine, told me that thousands of Crimeans have moved there recently, for a variety of reasons. I specifically asked if the Crimeans were Tatars and Ukrainians, and was told no, they are of all ethnicities. I was told things in Crimea are very tough, unless one has a relative outside Crimea who can help, and that many have given up waiting for their lives to improve, for a variety of reasons.
The person who told me this had no reason to fabricate it, and I know he wasn't lying.
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I had an interesting couple of days this week, as I had a few dinners with some famous Ukrainian artists in town researching a project. One of the researchers on the team, who is from Western Ukraine, told me that thousands of Crimeans have moved there recently, for a variety of reasons. I specifically asked if the Crimeans were Tatars and Ukrainians, and was told no, they are of all ethnicities. I was told things in Crimea are very tough, unless one has a relative outside Crimea who can help, and that many have given up waiting for their lives to improve, for a variety of reasons.
The person who told me this had no reason to fabricate it, and I know he wasn't lying.
I believe what you said is correct. Another forum had a recent video made in Yalta. My wife watched the video and was interested because she lived there for a number of years and still has an apartment there. The video showed the waterfront boardwalk all cracked and deteriorating. Also there is a huge fence on the waterfront that was open until recently. The woman interviewed indicated something to the effect "Russia wanted Crimea, but brought no money. The place is falling apart. If things do not change, we want to reunite with Ukraine."
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Freedoms of speech and assembly have largely evaporated, as has a free and independent news media, but that is not what upsets people here. It is the familiar demons, government corruption, venality and incompetence, that have infuriated many.
A half-dozen cabinet members and other senior officials have been either arrested on corruption charges or fired for incompetence in recent months, and a Kremlin audit released in June found a huge chunk of highway funds missing. Two nights before his beach appearance, Mr. Aksyonov spent more than three hours answering a battery of questions live on television, a rare event, trying to explain it all.
Aside from the political shambles, Crimea has been isolated from the outside world by Western sanctions. Credit cards from abroad do not work. Cellphone signals drop constantly, and app stores are often inaccessible. Many mainstream web services like Gmail are frequently blocked, too.
University degrees issued here are no longer recognized in the West, prompting an exodus of thousands of foreign students. Even minor international travel links remain suspended. The Turkish government stopped a ferry service across the Black Sea, as well as an attempt by a Chechen airline to fly from Simferopol, the Crimean capital, to Istanbul with a pit stop in southern Russian.
“We have ersatz education, ersatz mobile phones, ersatz banks. As a result, we live in a kind of isolation here,” said Vladimir P. Kazarin, a university professor. “Even other Russian systems perceive us as something foreign. We are not entirely integrated as part of Russia.”
To Many in Crimea, Corruption Seems No Less at Home Under Russian Rule
GURZUF, Crimea — On a sweltering summer day, Crimea’s burly prime minister, Sergei Aksyonov, stood in a black suit on a contested public beach in this resort town, once a famous retreat for artists like Anton Chekhov.
The prime minister, who was appointed by Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin, tried to speak over the din created by about 100 jostling residents all yelling at him simultaneously. An occasional voice soared above the rest to hurl abuse like: “There were scoundrels in Ukraine, there are scoundrels in Russia. They all stay here!”
Mr. Aksyonov pleaded repeatedly for calm and for time, trying to reassure everyone that Russia’s annexation of Crimea last year would improve matters eventually, but that nothing would change overnight. “I am not a magician who can make everybody happy in a few minutes,” he said.
Seventeen months after Mr. Putin deployed Special Forces troops to seize Crimea from Ukraine, prompting the deepest confrontation with the West since the Cold War, life on this Black Sea peninsula remains in disarray.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/world/europe/in-crimea-a-disputed-beach-is-a-symbol-of-corruption.html?_r=0
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My wife says that mail is delivered once a week. I am trying to figure out how to send an express mail package to her. Nothing works!
The cost of food, utilities, taxes, drugs and everything keeps going up.
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My wife says that mail is delivered once a week. I am trying to figure out how to send an express mail package to her. Nothing works!
The cost of food, utilities, taxes, drugs and everything keeps going up.
wayne it seems life has greatly improved for your wife under russian rule then ?
how does she feel about all this improvement in her daily life there ?
SX
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wayne it seems life has greatly improved for your wife under russian rule then ?
how does she feel about all this improvement in her daily life there ?
SX
What Wayne just described is a great improvement there? I remember Wayne saying his wife is happy with Russia taking Crimea. Wayne, has your wife changed her mind about the new management? I remember you said she's building a house in Crimea. Still have plans to live there?
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The dacha was almost complete before the revolution began. The yard is planted with fruit trees, grapes, strawberries, flowers, etc. There is no grass to cut! You can walk to the Black Sea and see it from the second floor windows. Across the street is a very large vineyard that streches for miles.
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Wayne, if you don't mind my asking, how long has it been since you and your wife have spent lengthy time periods together?
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Wayne, if you don't mind my asking, how long has it been since you and your wife have spent lengthy time periods together?
Any time at all? Interesting question ML.
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The dacha was almost complete before the revolution began.
It's interesting that he used 'revolution' instead of invasion. :rolleyes:
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There has been no steady electricity supply in this hard-hit town since Nov. 22, when protesters in Ukraine blew up the lines still feeding Crimea with most of its electric power. The bigger towns and cities are only marginally better off.
Yet, people here are not sure whom to blame more for their predicament: the Crimean Tatar activists and Ukrainian nationalists who cut off Crimea’s link to the Ukrainian power grid or the local government officials who claimed to have enough power generators stored away to handle such an emergency
“The circus is gone, but the clowns stayed,” said Leonid Zakharov, 45, leaning on a wooden cane. Moscow may have purged Ukrainian authority, he said, but many of the same corrupt and incompetent officials remained in office and life was only slightly less chaotic than before.
Twenty months after the Kremlin annexed the Black Sea peninsula amid an outpouring of patriotic fervor by the ethnic Russian population, President Vladimir V. Putin’s promise in April 2014 to turn it into a showcase of his rule now seems as faded as Crimea’s aging, Soviet-era resorts.
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But life is not particularly wonderful anywhere in Crimea right now.
“They said, ‘Russia is not very liked in the world already, so if they will dislike us a little more, so what?’ ”
Today, the main lifeline to Russia is a ferry to a remote corner of the Krasnodar region that is operating without hindrance during the blackout, but which the Tatar activists have also threatened to halt. In 2014, the Kremlin pledged to spend 658 billion rubles (about $10 billion) to improve the peninsula’s infrastructure, including a $3.4 billion bridge to mainland Russia. But little has been forthcoming.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/02/world/europe/power-outage-forces-crimeans-to-reconsider-their-enthusiasm-for-secession.html?_r=1
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"Twenty months after the Kremlin annexed the Black Sea peninsula amid an outpouring of patriotic fervor by the ethnic Russian population, President Vladimir V. Putin’s promise in April 2014 to turn it into a showcase of his rule now seems as faded as Crimea’s aging, Soviet-era resorts."
Those fevorous Russians should have given more thought to where they were going to get their electricity, water, food, etc.
Wasn't one of our posters fond of saying the Russians would eat dirt if they had to ?
Time to 'belly up' to the bar.
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Simferopol has only one or two hours of electric daily now. Internet hardly works at all. Gasoline is in short supply. Food is spoiling. Schools and most businesses are closed. Electric trolley buses don't work. Nothing works!
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Here are some related News Articles that some might find interesting.
How NATO benefits from the electricity blackout on the occupied Crimean Peninsula
http://uatoday.tv/society/blackout-in-crimea-542399.html
Putin drive to swallow Crimea halts at gates of football stadiums
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/26/uk-ukraine-crisis-crimea-soccer-idUKKBN0TF11G20151126
Russia and Ukraine in a Standoff Over Crimea Power Outage
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/26/world/europe/russia-and-ukraine-in-a-standoff-over-crimea-power-outage.html
'Crimeans Don't Cry': Life Under the Blackout
(http://www.themoscowtimes.com/upload/iblock/be6/5732-02-Crimea-2.jpg)
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/crimeans-dont-cry-life-under-the-blackout/550651.html
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Putin was in Simferopol. He promised to have the first power link to Russia in operation by 15 Dec 2015. Even if so, 12 more days in the dark.
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Keep your fingers crossed. The whole Kuban region doesn't have enough extra power to supply Krym. :clapping: :clapping:
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This antiquated power grid's been cold for weeks. Even if they flash it up in a week or two it'll likely crash if not done in phases and with proper precautions.
Brass
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Putin was in Simferopol. He promised to have the first power link to Russia in operation by 15 Dec 2015. Even if so, 12 more days in the dark.
That will not happen
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This antiquated power grid's been cold for weeks. Even if they flash it up in a week or two it'll likely crash if not done in phases and with proper precautions.
Brass
The sub-stations have been exploding or catching fire all over the place. The erratic levels coming thru are creating a big problem.
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Well look on the bright side: since the price of oil is low, it won't cost the Russians as much if they decide to ship in some big diesel gensets ;D
2MW of capacity without fuel tank, will fit on a standard 40-foot trailer; which I estimate is enough for about 10K flats, assuming that heat comes from elsewhere. In the USA, 1MW is given as 1,000 homes, but the Russians use much less electricity.
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In Crimea, I saw a lot of natural gas pipes that are run above ground in rusty steel pipes. If the main gas supply lines come through Ukraine (which they probably do) the next thing the Tatars might do is blow them up!
Some old buildings have steam heat, and the steam itself does not require electric to flow, but most boilers would need electric for controls. Warm air and hot water systems would use fans and pumps that are electric.
A long term fix might be large natural gas lines under the sea from Russia and new gas powered electric power plants.
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With the massive cash outflow that Pulter has already... You'll find that Krym and Ukraine are going to be moving further down the list of priorities.
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Wayne, if you don't mind my asking, how long has it been since you and your wife have spent lengthy time periods together?
Wayne-- you have not replied? Why not?
In Crimea, I saw a lot of natural gas pipes that are run above ground in rusty steel pipes. If the main gas supply lines come through Ukraine (which they probably do) the next thing the Tatars might do is blow them up!
When were you there? When did you "see" ?
Ridiculous comment on Tarters.
Putin was in Simferopol. He promised to have the first power link to Russia in operation by 15 Dec 2015. Even if so, 12 more days in the dark.
So-- what happened?
Yeah right-it did not happen.
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Power lines blasts in Ukraine resulted in a blackout in Crimean peninsula which is into its sixth day. While Ukrainian society and media are discussing whether it is worth applying such measures as an energy blockade towards Crimea, Russia is working on building a facade that very soon the peninsula will be able to exist without Ukrainian power. So which mountains of gold have been already promised and is it really so easy to present them?
1. How much Crimea needs
According to the State Unitary Enterprise of the Republic of Crimea Krymenergo, until recent days Ukraine supplied the peninsula with 1,210 MW. The average power consumption in Crimea amounted to 1,100 MW. This means that Ukraine has even been backing up the occupied peninsula.
2. What Russia promised
Three days after the beginning of the blackout Russian President Vladimir Putin finally reacted saying that by December 20 the first line of energy bridge from Russia to Crimea will be constructed and in the summer of 2016 the second line will be built.
Russia has been espousing the idea of an energy bridge since the beginning of Crimea’s occupation in March 2014. However, tracking the real steps towards its construction proves to be difficult.
A 13 bn ruble tender was conducted for the construction of the cable transition through the Kerch Strait. Neither of the four lines were mentioned there. The contract includes the construction of a line of 220 kW. So probably this construction work is one of the cases of dividing money that will never be shown on public.
3. Crimea’s internal production
A mobile gas-turbine power plant outside Simferopol
4. Legal issues
There need not be additional mentions that Russian actions towards Crimea have been illegal. But some international companies support Russia’s violation of international law. In October 11, 2015 the China’s cable laying vessel JIAN JI 3001 arrived to one of the occupied ports of Kerch.
The possibility that Russia can provide all needed energy to Crimea exists at some theoretical level. All ways of doing it are enormously expensive and need many preparations. Knowing the style of doing business in Russia it is easy to predict that even if money for Crimean energy is allocated, a significant part of it will dive into the deep pockets of corrupted structures.
Why didn’t Russia find an energy solution over 20 months of annexation?
According to the Swiss outlet nzz.ch, Russia wasn’t able to begin construction of needed power generators after annexing Crimea because it would be more expensive to equip Crimea with Russian-produced generators have a smaller capacity than with those produced abroad, which are prohibited by sanctions. Apparently, the Russian leadership was either searching for ways to circumvent sanctions, or waiting for them to be dropped, pursuing a cost-effective solution.
Can Russia completely supply Crimea with power? Four facts to make your own conclusions
Can Russia completely supply Crimea with power? Four facts to make your own conclusions
2015/11/28 • CRIMEA
Article by: Olena Makarenko
Power lines blasts in Ukraine resulted in a blackout in Crimean peninsula which is into its sixth day. While Ukrainian society and media are discussing whether it is worth applying such measures as an energy blockade towards Crimea, Russia is working on building a facade that very soon the peninsula will be able to exist without Ukrainian power. So which mountains of gold have been already promised and is it really so easy to present them?
The last events around Crime have shown that the the energy blockade of the peninsula is far from over. On Thursday, 26 November, employees of the Ukrainian state energy company Ukrenergo stopped works on repairing one of the destroyed power pillars in Kherson Oblast. According to the head of Ukrenergo Information Policy Department Zinovy Butso, this happened “on the demand of the energy blockade participants.”
The day before, Mustafa Dzhemilev, Ukrainian MP and leader of Crimea Tatars, stated that the activists of the energy blockade are not going to restore electricity supply to the peninsula yet. Also Dzhemilev pointed out that the main condition under which energy supply can be renewed is freedom for the Ukrainian political prisoners in Crimea.
http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/11/28/can-russia-completely-supply-crimea-with-power-four-facts-to-make-your-own-conclusions/
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Hardly surprising that Russia is not happy with their installed band of crooks !
What is of interest-- is that the closed city of Sevastopol as part of Crimea. Almost like they are setting this up to retain by Russia when they are forced to give up the rest of Crimea. Part of the bargaining process?
Russia questioned the occupation "authorities" Crimea
Russia questioned the professionalism of the occupation "authorities" annexed Crimea. It is reported RIA "Novosti" with reference to a source in the government of the Russian Federation. As the source informs, in November 2015 the Russian government instructed the Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Finance to determine the amount of damage after freezing the budget for 2015 funding for the development of Crimea and Sevastopol. According to government experts, "the professionalism and quality of regional government is serious concern at the helm of the government."
Більше читайте тут: http://tsn.ua/politika/rosiya-zasumnivalasya-v-okupaciyniy-vladi-krimu-zmi-557660.html
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Maybe this is "off-post" but has anyone recently traveled to Crimea? As an American, I believe I'm allowed to travel there (I realize I have to travel via Russia first and then to Simferopol) - or is this unwise? Yes, I've read what the "Nat Sec" posts, but sometimes there is better info from those who may live there or travel there in recent months. Many thanks and Happy New Year!
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srsol,
I'm a US citizen who lived in Sevastopol for three years.
Yes, you can travel there, Sevastopol hasn't yet returned to its Soviet status as a "closed" city, but it is a future possibility.
In the three years I lived there I had been assualted twice for being a foreigner and not publicly speaking Russian with my children.
I would perceive the "hostility index" to be a bit higher now than it was, but still for a two week stay I'd give it a 1% probability of you being assualted for being a foreigner which is pretty low. Avoid groups of young men, stay away from bars, don't publicly speak English, keep a low profile, this will help your odds a bit
Sevastopol itself is a fairly boring place, a few historical places, Panorama, Chersonese, I'd rate Odessa over Sevastopol, safer less hassle and Visa free
JayH, there have been a lot of "purges" in Crimea. Initially some local oligarch's made it into the new government early last year, but they are being cleansed and replaced by Moscovites. The local courts were clogged with thousands of properties being taked from Ukrianian oligarchs and handed over to favored Russian oligarchs, this is all normal there
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Thanks Krimster - probably wise to avoid currently.
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One of the big incentives for the Crimean thieves to escape Ukraine was to escape legal and moral obligations. Maybe now they are starting to understand that the bigger thieves in Moscow want their "dues"!
What a morally bankrupt group they really are.
"Local collaborators welcomed annexation, in the first place, not because of “Russian patriotism,” but because of selfish interests: Russia promised the much-touted benefits package, pensions, salaries. By some wild misunderstanding they felt no need to return the debts. That’s how they interpreted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s words, when he answered a question about the Crimean loans."
Russian State Duma makes Crimeans to repay Ukrainian debts
The Russian State Duma adopted a law that allowed recovering Crimean’s debts to Ukrainian banks
The head of the Russian “State council” of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov criticized this decision, accusing the Kremlin of neglecting the interests of Crimeans. In fact, Konstantinov is worried about his own pocket, as firms affiliated with him, owe Ukrainian banks more than UAH1 billion, Joinfo.ua reports with reference to KrymRealii.
Local collaborators welcomed annexation, in the first place, not because of “Russian patriotism,” but because of selfish interests: Russia promised the much-touted benefits package, pensions, salaries. By some wild misunderstanding they felt no need to return the debts. That’s how they interpreted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s words, when he answered a question about the Crimean loans.
The Kremlin initially did not give a clear answer about the Ukrainian loans. On the one hand, the republican “government” have stated that “they do not owe anything to Ukraine,” and on the other – the certain companies, which worked on the peninsula, were beating the debts out of the people.
Under the new law, Russian credit and non-credit institutions, which “provide evidence of the acquisition of the relevant rights,” can beat the debts out of Crimeans. Roughly speaking, the Russian organizations purchase ‘bad’ loan portfolios from Ukrainian banks, and recover debts by their own means.
http://joinfo.com/world/1012971_russian-state-duma-makes-crimeans-to-repay-ukrainian-debts.html
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Despite struggles, it looks like there is optimism in Crimea.
Crimeans enter 2016 struggling, but optimistic
SEVASTOPOL, Crimea (AP) — As New Year's Eve approaches, the central square of Crimea's largest city is festooned with bright festive decorations, including a soaring artificial tree that flashes and winks. But areas just a few steps away are sunk in darkness, the street lamps turned off because of an electricity shortage.
Sevastopol and the rest of Crimea are slowly recovering from....
http://news.yahoo.com/crimeans-enter-2016-struggling-optimisticc-141322183.html (http://news.yahoo.com/crimeans-enter-2016-struggling-optimisticc-141322183.html)
Fathertime!
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Despite struggles, it looks like there is optimism in Crimea.
Crimeans enter 2016 struggling, but optimistic
SEVASTOPOL, Crimea (AP) — As New Year's Eve approaches, the central square of Crimea's largest city is festooned with bright festive decorations, including a soaring artificial tree that flashes and winks. But areas just a few steps away are sunk in darkness, the street lamps turned off because of an electricity shortage.
Sevastopol and the rest of Crimea are slowly recovering from....
http://news.yahoo.com/crimeans-enter-2016-struggling-optimisticc-141322183.html (http://news.yahoo.com/crimeans-enter-2016-struggling-optimisticc-141322183.html)
Fathertime!
Heh, optimism is ingrained in the Russian psyche. They have no choice. ;)
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Heh, optimism is ingrained in the Russian psyche. They have no choice. ;)
Ingrained? In my 15-20 trips to Russia, I sensed a dipolar perspective among the Russian citizenry:
1. Skepticism about most everything, particularly the government save Putin.
2. Pride for being Russian and living the Russian culture (except politics).
As with Americans, the economy is frequently the most important issue, so when the economy is down the people are down, and down it has been.
Optimism for the future of Crimea? Three sources for optimism:
1. Inclusion of Crimea in the Russian Federation would indeed buoy optimism because the Russian petrodollars will be available for the long-term recovery.
2. When Russian faces a crisis, history shows the Soviet and Russian governments were not shy about unleashing the propaganda writers, creating heroes, etc.
3. Most Russian people are well aware of historical times when "things" were much worse.
I still contend that Crimea resembles and will continue to resemble the Turkish part of Cyprus.
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Notice ;) indicating sarcasm.
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Interesting news -- the FSB figure of actual voter turnout was approx 34% in that bogus referendum.
That is a long way from the figures promoted by Russian propaganda.
Even if -- NOTE THE IF !== the vote from that point equalled the crazy % support claimed by Russia it is still a minority by some distance . Note also -- what the actual choices were -- so it looks like the large majority voted with their feet and failed to vote .
That figure above -- also is remarkably close to survey numbers taken over the previous years --also note- I have written about this quite a few times previously.
The myth of overwhelming support for Russian on Krym was just that -- and despite the Russian attempts to repopulate with Russian lackeys chances are that the majority would still not support Russia .
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I still contend that Crimea resembles and will continue to resemble the Turkish part of Cyprus.
Just seen this
Absolutely do not agree.
I know both places quite well ..One is officially sanctioned as not to be recognised by the UN, but you can use a 'western bank card' there.. T'other, the ultimate sanction was vetoed by the very nation that that conducted the military take over
The Turkish Cypriot's voted for the UN Annan plan and the foolish Geek Cypriot leadership told their people they could get a better deal and rejected a solution.. Thus began a process whereby property resolutions could be officially registered by an 'unrecognised ' state....
Turkish Cypriots might now say, "be careful what you wish for", as they are outnumbered by mainland Turks.who have arrived since 1974...
Crimea's Eth. Russians were placed there long before Khrushchev masses Crimea part of Ukraine SSR in 1954...
If anything, Crimea's isolation is more complete..
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Plus you forgot usa started to talk about basing missiles on Crimea and other military installations. So Russia made sure that did not happen. Both the usa and ussr are selfish super powers who hopefully balance each other in their game of chess.
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:cluebat:James :cluebat:. Absolutely rubbish piece of stupidity. :cluebat :cluebat:
Plus you forgot usa started to talk about basing missiles on Crimea and other military installations. So Russia made sure that did not happen. Both the usa and ussr are selfish super powers who hopefully balance each other in their game of chess.
That comment has zero foundation( other than in Russian propaganda) -- just plain ignorance and you are stupid enough to believe it ! . If you and Trenchcoat are not the same idiot -- comments like that and the sentence following sure puts you in with a good chance of idiotic post of the year.
Anyone -- and I mean anyone -- that equates the US with Russia is a full on idiot. The US is far from perfect -- and has it;s problems right now ( plenty here cannot see it) -- but the decency of the USA cannot be put in the same category as the kleptocracy in Russia.
Russia has invaded Ukraine -- the massive loss of life and way of life for millions of Ukrainians and the suffering ALL Ukrainians are faced with as a result of the disgusting actions of Russia .
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James, James, James....You are the 'useful idiot' of RT, Sputnik et al's dreams...
You DO know that before The Kremlin stunt in Crimea the opposition parties in Ukraine agreed on non aligned status and NATO membership was NEVER on the table?
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Poo ten was in Simferopol on 18 March 2019 for the five year celebration of the take-over. It is a big holiday in Crimea. My wife wrote me that the streets were closed off so she could not go to our dacha.
The beach area near our dacha is being destroyed for the sake of the new military road.
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Very interesting reading.It was not possible at that time to defend the invasion --every arm of the government was hopelessly conflicted - government members,the entire military,the SBU down to local government and people -- who were either loyal to Russia or undecided which way the should jump--it created an impossible situation for many.
Today -the situation would be entirely different ( to a large degree) . Back in 2014 day by day more Ukrainians followed their hearts and the rise of Ukraine had many decide they wanted to be Ukrainian in a free and democratic Ukraine. Today the military is a totally different organisation-- many much younger leaders and patriotic -leading the largest army in Europe. If that was the case back in 2014-Russia would not have dared invade.
FWIW -- I believe the correct decision was made not to escalate the situation --it would have led to a pointless loss of life. In the following months --it was only the patriotic volunteers that flew into the fight in eastern Ukraine that took on the Russian military machine that gave the army time to get organised -- I should say into a semblance of organisation. It was only the intervention of full on Russian military that prevented all their forces being pushed out of Ukraine -- and the basic stalemate of today resulted.That has bought Ukraine time-- and prevented a wider invasion.
Debates still erupt in Ukraine on whether the post-Euromaidan government made the right decision to restrain from military conflict in Crimea: as we all know, the military conflict in Ukraine started in Donbas, not from the Russian occupation of Crimea. But at that time, Ukraine, still reeling from the Euromaidan revolution and flight of ex-President Yanukovych, needed at least some time to improve the extremely low combat capability of its armed forces and redeploy troops in order to secure all 1974 kilometers of the border with Russia in the East.
At the onset of Russian aggression on 21 February 2014, 20,000 Russian soldiers were already in Crimea and 38,000 more stood along the Ukrainian border in the East. Meanwhile, only 5,000 Ukrainian troops were combat ready. The Ukrainian government had several weeks to mobilize and prepare the rest of its forces while Russia was preparing to hold its sham “referendum.” Critics say it could have acted.
Could Ukraine have fought off Crimean occupation? A crucial document you should know
Five years ago this week, Russia was finishing its illegal annexation of Crimea, trying to legitimize it by a so-called referendum.
The annexation was going on for a whole month from 20 February 2014, until Russia established full control over the peninsula. However, during this whole month, the 15,000 Ukrainian troops located in Crimea didn’t shoot to defend themselves and the peninsula from the Russian invasion.
A transcript of the National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) meeting held on 28 February 2014, which we publish below, reveals the real state of Ukraine at the end of February 2014 and allows judging whether Ukraine’s decision to not protect Crimea by force was right
. How many Ukrainian soldiers were actually prepared to resist the Russian “green men” in the Crimea and who betrayed Ukraine? What did the “western partners” advise Ukrainian authorities to do? What did the Ukrainian politicians propose and decide and could they have stopped the Russian invasion of Crimea?
http://euromaidanpress.com/2019/03/24/could-ukraine-have-fought-off-crimean-occupation-a-crucial-document-you-should-know/
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Video from 2014 -- not exactly an acclamation for the Russian invasion.
Days after Ukraine’s president was toppled from power during the Euromaidan revolution, Russian soldiers and local proxies took control of the strategically important Crimean peninsula and surrounded Ukrainian troops in their bases. Unhappy with the change in government in Kiev and using the unfounded fear of the Russian language being restricted, Russia made a bid for control in the region.
Following an illegal and fraudulent referendum on whether Crimea would become a part of Russia or not, Russia then formally annexed the peninsula — a move which was widely condemned by the international community. Russia had, in one quick and mostly bloodless takeover, reminded the world of its power, and made the West in its poor handling of the situation appear weak.
VICE News headed to Crimea to see how the change in rulers has gone down with the local population. Some residents welcomed Russia and the prospect of a greater economic future, while others feared losing their freedom to speak out, and did not like the idea of becoming pawns in Russia's military muscle flexing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k0t2eUqv3w
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Jays
Why would ANYONE waste their time creating or reposting such nonsense.
1/ There were more RUSSIAN forces on the peninsula
2/ It would have had to have been retaken by force
So, we can expect Ukrainian forces to retake Donbas...?
Such a shame...air thought your days of posting daft articles were past (
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Putting it simply -the more successful Ukraine is in getting to be a free market democracy -the greater the chance and sooner Crimea will return to Ukraine.
Five Years Later, Putin Is Paying for Crimea
His overconfidence after the successful annexation lured him into a trap where he lost all bargaining power.
The annexation was a crime; what followed was, from a realpolitik point of view, an error of judgment. Putin, egged on by military and intelligence analysts who believed Ukraine was divided into politically incompatible Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking areas, decided to try splitting off eastern Ukraine. He did it both as revenge for the 2014 “Revolution of Dignity,” which he considered a U.S.-inspired coup, and as an additional buffer against the new Ukrainian government’s ambition to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
It was meant to be another low-cost operation: Send in some weapons and instructors, the Kremlin thinking went, and local rebels and their helpers from the Russian ultranationalist movement would split off Ukraine’s majority Russian-speaking east and south. The West would present no serious opposition, as it hadn’t with Crimea. Economic costs, too, would be minimal: Ukraine’s industrial might was concentrated in the Russian-speaking regions.
This time, though, the Ukrainian government put up a fight. A feeble one, to be sure, given that the country’s military never believed it would actually have to fight a war. But it soon transpired that the ragtag bands of local goons and Russian military reconstructors faced defeat without more Russian help. Russia sent troops to defeat the Ukrainian military at key junctions in 2014 and 2015 — and, crucially, it also sent the missile launcher that accidentally downed a passenger plane, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, on July 17, 2014. The death of the 298 passengers and crew made sure Putin’s second Ukraine gamble would not be low cost.
http://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-03-16/russia-s-annexation-of-crimea-5-years-ago-has-cost-putin-dearly
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Putin ..and the leaders before have deliberately created frozen conflicts in regions they wished to control
They believe it is a cost worth paying
Crimea is not such a case.. Most Crimean's believe they are Russian and that is because they are descendants of those planted there to outnumber Tatars
You have as much chance of seeing Crimea back with Ukraine...as N.Ireland being part of a united Ireland..as a consequence..
How it happened was wrong and The Kremlin must pay..but it cannot give it back...
Dream on ((
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Ukraine should NOT want Crimea back.
Aside from the potential of the offshore oil, Crimea is a drain on the budget of whomever controls it.
And with a majority ethnic Russian population, and their traitorous vote to join Russia (yes, I know it wasn't as great a percent as Putin claimed) . . . Crimea would be a serious divisive part of Ukraine and the people there a real PIA.
Would be good if the ethnic Ukrainians in Crimea could be relocated into mainland Ukraine.
Seems to be no viable good options for the native Tatars.
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People did ok there with tourism. There were lots of ships that docked along the Black Sea cities. But, it was a PITA before it was invaded as well.
I agree, it's gone, it's not a bad thing, for Ukraine, but Russia should remain under sanctions and Crimea isolated because in this day and age, you don't annex territory by invasion.
This post was composed without the aid of google.
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Interesting article on Crimea:
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/06/some-crimeans-who-cheered-russia-have-buyers-remorse/591739/
Superficially, the peninsula is flourishing under Russian rule. Moscow has built a huge new airport here in Simferopol and tethered Crimea to the Russian mainland with a 1.4-mile suspension bridge over the Kerch Strait. McMansions are popping up everywhere. Crimea’s economy was the fastest-growing in Russia so far this year—at least according to data collated by the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank with close ties to the Kremlin. By 2022, on the institute’s projections, Moscow will have plowed $13 billion into the territory.
But the new wealth is not evenly spread. While Crimea’s construction and manufacturing sectors—the ones that benefit most from Moscow’s huge infrastructure investments—have expanded by 20 percent since last year, agriculture, retail, and services have grown far more modestly, by 3 percent. Outside the often-corrupt elite, private enterprise has collapsed; 90 percent of small businesses have folded since 2014.
“On the one hand, there has been enormous Russian investment: Moscow has spent way more in Crimea than the West has spent on Ukraine,” says Andrew Wilson, a Ukrainian-studies professor at University College London. “But there has been a lopsided result, and ordinary Crimeans are squeezed in the middle.”