A Sad Farwell to Russia

[AkMike]

I hope that westerners and Russians will keep it in mind that it's governments that are at the root of the problems and not the general population.
 There are many Russians that I would invite to my home for dinner as well as Ukrainians. (And we have done this w/o problems)

 

 

[lordtiberius]

The Russian people choose Putin just like we choose Obama.

[AkMike]

The Russian people choose Putin just like we choose Obama.

 What's this "we" stuff? 

 I had nothing to do with that fiasco! I voted for the other guy.

[lordtiberius]

Like you I did too, twice.  But we lost. 

[ML]

I hope that westerners and Russians will keep it in mind that it's governments that are at the root of the problems and not the general population.

This is a cop-out.

Governments and government leaders are a reflection of the general public; and especially so where the leaders enjoy a large approval rating

[JayH]

This is a cop-out.

Governments and government leaders are a reflection of the general public; and especially so where the leaders enjoy a large approval rating

When the Russian people show 1%  of the guts of Ukrainians who did stand up( and still are) to a corrupt government and the total incompetence they were confronted with--it changed the direction of  Ukraine.
Putins is dragging Russia back to the past-- the sooner Russians in general have the guts to admit that and say so-- the sooner Russia will not be doomed to being a pariah state and shut off from the rest of the world.

[mendeleyev]

I wrote an analysis of the Ukrainian election that said in part:
http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/analizing-the-ukrainian-presidential-election/

In areas of Ukraine where pro-Russian armed bandits were not allowed to disrupt the vote, lines were long but voters seemed eager to send a dual message to their own Parliament that they wanted a capable person to lead the country but there was the unmistakable message sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin that they wanted him to get out and stay out of Ukraine.

Election winners: The Ukrainian people now at least have the opportunity for a fresh start, an open door to put the days of Maidan violence behind and to set Ukraine on a path of their own choosing.

Chocolate king Petro Poroshenko appears to have won the election in the first round and that is a good thing for Ukraine as well. The ballot had 21 candidates and many thought a runoff would be needed for any candidate push over the 50% limit needed to win outright.

Election losers: Vladimir Putin wasn’t on the ballot but he might as well have been. The clear sentiment in this election was anti-Russia and very much anti-Putin and we can only hope that over time these two countries with a shared history and culture can come to reconciliation. The Mendeleyev Journal remains committed to the idea that Ukraine and Russia should have close relations and we deplore the idea of NATO in Ukraine, for example.

The other loser was Yulia Timoshenko, the former Orange Revolution figure who at one time held great sway over many Ukrainian voters. We are glad that she has been released from prison as it was clearly a political decision to hold her behind bars. However Yulia’s days as Ukraine’s shining light appear to be over and voters have tired of politicians who seem out to enrich themselves while pretending to serve the common Ukrainian struggling for a better life.

What Ukrainians hope for: It seems that Ukrainians yearn for some semblance of Western style institutions of law and order, of fairness and non-tolerance of corruption. That is a difficult task when corruption has deep roots in your own country; a value shared by the bigger neighbor next door. Both Ukraine and Russia possess thin veneers of judicial fairness over massive layers of judicial incompetence and political corruption. It is difficult to clean up your own yard when you live in such a neighborhood.

The Mendeleyev Journal hopes that Ukrainians aren’t confusing the EU with prosperity and independence. That would be a very big mistake. The EU doesn’t need nor want another impoverished Bulgaria draining their resources so we can rest easy that EU membership won’t be on the table. However we don’t put it past the EU politicians to continue dangling that carrot to use Ukraine as a way to beat up on Russia. That would be cruel as Ukrainians deserve better.

We also believe that other than reliable trading partners, the USA needs to stay out of Ukraine’s decision making processes. There is no need for another Cold War and both the USA and Russia must be held accountable. The USA must understand that Ukraine is to Russia as Canada is to the USA and if Canada and her bigger neighbor can get along without outside influence, then Ukraine must be allowed to make the same kind of independent decisions.

We hope that over time Ukraine will find her footing and grow into a prosperous nation that honours her citizens with equal opportunity and adopts fair courts, free elections, and rids herself of corrupt politicians.

No one says it will be easy and for the newly elected Petro Poroshenko and the citizens of Ukraine, the hard work is just beginning. We wish you well.

[JayH]

Mende-- wb--we all miss you !!
I agree near enough with nearly all you write above. The general mood in Ukraine had a incredible movement --virtually this year.Many Ukrainians are disgusted with Russia-- from the meddling prior to Maidan-the Crimean invasion and the interference and sending of terrorists into Ukraine has seen large numbers of Ukrainians turn right off Russia-- to the extent that it is unlikely Russia will ever be forgiven for these recent antics.
Looking west--is as much about wanting decent lives  and a future for Ukraine based on decent values.Of course politics comes into it-- but that is the charter the government must deliver . I do not use these words in a condescending way-- but in admiration-- I see an innocence,almost naivety in Ukrainians hopes and aspirations for the future of Ukraine.
That would have been difficult enough in any situation-- but with Russia seeking to destabilise every aspect of Ukrainian life -it becomes a mammoth task. One by product of Putin's stupidity-- Ukraine will get far more help from the west as a result of Russia's behaviour and it unified Ukrainians !!

[calmissile]

Welcome back Mendy.  We have all missed you and your reports.

I was wondering if you had got caught up in the clampdown of journalists that are not publishing the Kremlin line.  For months I have been getting daily reports from my wife in Kiev about the feelings of Ukrainians on both sides of the issues.  She is pretty disgusted with people on both sides that simply repeat propaganda without having the intellect to objectively evaluate it.

Good to see you back.  I hope you continue to post your reports.

[Gator]

I wrote an analysis of the Ukrainian election that said in part:

We also believe that other than reliable trading partners, the USA needs to stay out of Ukraine’s decision making processes. There is no need for another Cold War and both the USA and Russia must be held accountable. The USA must understand that Ukraine is to Russia as Canada is to the USA and if Canada and her bigger neighbor can get along without outside influence, then Ukraine must be allowed to make the same kind of independent decisions.

I agree.  We do not need to meddle other than take diplomatic steps to discourage Russia from supporting insurgencies and confiscating territory from Ukraine.   Europe has the most to gain (and lose) and should take the lead in supporting Ukraine.   

Historical fact:  For 20+ years of Ukraine's independence, its elected government has failed miserably.  Let us hope the new government can change history.   The largest obstacle is the rampant corruption.  How can that be corrected when those in power have been the most corrupt.  To reduce corruption would require those in power to give up their power.

[BillyB]

We also believe that other than reliable trading partners, the USA needs to stay out of Ukraine’s decision making processes. There is no need for another Cold War and both the USA and Russia must be held accountable. The USA must understand that Ukraine is to Russia as Canada is to the USA and if Canada and her bigger neighbor can get along without outside influence, then Ukraine must be allowed to make the same kind of independent decisions.

Hey Mendy,  I like what you're saying in your post but Ukraine needs outside assistance. The reason for Canada's success is because they are next to America and enjoy our friendship and security. Put Ukraine in Canada's place and Canada in Ukraine's place next to Russia and each country would have different results. Ukraine will never make independent decisions with Russia as its neighbor and without outside help.


I can agree with you that America should stay out of Ukraine's decision making process but we should help them to achieve the ability to make independent decisions. The majority of people in the world, including Ukrainians want peace and prosperity just like Americans do. Whether or not Ukrainians are to blame for electing past presidents, one thing is clear, they are unable improve their quality of life alone and under Russia's foot. Corruption at the top of Ukraine's politics is rampant and is unlikely to change, especially since most of the parliament is retained and Russia continually sends in irregular army in covert invasion. In the article below, a couple of guards at the border were bribed and allowed 1000 Russian militants into Ukraine. Putin may have pulled his regular troops from the border but he is sending in more irregular army than ever into Ukraine.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/31/4149937/russian-pullback-from-ukraine.html

[rockford75]

If by now the world doesn't yet understand that when it comes to the interest of the USA, nothing is ever sacred. Not human lives, whether it be its citizens or another since they're simply pawns for a higher stake$.

Certainly not any semblance of any democratic process they trumpet to support. At least not if it gets in the way of the almighty $dollar$.

Here's Victoria Nuland, giddy for having Chevron successfully sign a 10 billion dollar deal with Ukraine. Of course, knowing a pro-Russian puppet president is currently ruling Ukraine at the time, what's the next best logical step? A revolution you say? Okay...one revolution coming up! Let's make this one *bloody rare* for the effect so we can justify sitting and anointing someone else we know we can like.





It isn't difficult to understand why the EU/USA, or even the IMF, are just as giddy to lend a helping hand (i.e. billion dollar loans) out of the kindness of their collective black hearts. No sireee. With a potential gas source equal to 25% of the estimated global deposit, Ukraine is a political *pinata* waiting to happen.

Heck, even before the Crimea hold-over took place, the EU/US were already engaged in jousting and jockeying on who gets to pass 'Go' all the way to the bank.



So there you have it, folks. We can all scrutinized Putin and Russia for their silly *reaction* to an unconstitutional and illegal overthrow of a legitimate government and sovereignty in Ukraine, but nary a word for the agents of provocateurs who are poise to cause great harm to the people of Ukraine. Tit for Tat and have someone else pay for all of that.

So, now we have a mess in Ukraine, or soon to be a mess. Maybe some or many people will die in this political pinata because someone else would love to grab the billions out of that country's resource. I shouldn't really be surprised Americans are buying into the whole Russia is the evil empire, after all, we all generally bought into the whole *freedom and liberty and justice for all* talk, no?

Well said GQ!!!

[lordtiberius]

Agree with Mendy on all points save the following.  Russia is not just playing chess with Obama in which Uncle Vova's description of him is apt.  But Russia is against Poland, the Baltics, even Germany and Kazakhstan.  Concerned fellow dictators are growing jealous of their weakened sovereignty.  Right now Germany is MadVlad's BFF while Breedlive and Rasmussen chirp, Germany plays both sides and Hollands starts training Russian sailors on how to operate the Mistral carrier.

Euromaidan journalist Leveshengo tweeted that Mayor Klitchko made a deal with Firtash developers and tore down the barricades. We will see if he honors the memory of the heroes by fixing the city streets or if he is another in a long line of third world politicians.

[lordtiberius]

Alibi: what are European values? Is it hash tag trolling or Christianity? Is it manifesto for pansexuality or is it moral commitment to justice? Is it recycling and smart cars or is it for rule of law?

Read George Weigel's remarks to the Lithuanian delegation.

[Slumba]

Alibi: what are European values? Is it hash tag trolling or Christianity? Is it manifesto for pansexual city or is it moral commitment to justice? Is it recycling and smart cars or is it for rule of law?

Read George Weigel's remarks to the Lithuanian delegation.

Cheese, beer, and political hyposcrisy. And mistresses (France).

[lordtiberius]

And the World Cup

[lordtiberius]

Think of all the non-gay men you won't meet in Russia.

[Shadow]

Alibi: what are European values? Is it hash tag trolling or Christianity? Is it manifesto for pansexuality or is it moral commitment to justice? Is it recycling and smart cars or is it for rule of law?

Read George Weigel's remarks to the Lithuanian delegation.

The European values are what brought forth America. Enough reason to question them.