Is it actually Russia that is imposing more and more costs?

[AC]

Well, gee. I guess we better give Alaska back then...or better yet Russia should just submit its lands to Mongolia since they were conquered at one time by them. Nice justification there genius.

There is no doubt that eventually the Chinese and possibly Mongolia as well as the Kazakh's (descendants of Genghis Khan) are going to eventually get hegemony over Russia.  Most likely it will occur initially thru economic means and eventually if need be thru military means.  Russia has brought this ultimate collapse upon themselves through the hubris of one little man.

[Gator]

No haggling here, sorry. Crimea was paid by Russians with hundreds of  thousands of soldiers over XVIII-XX centeries. Ukraine has got it  free of charge, so no compensations.

I don't know about the 18th C, yet in just one war the Russians lost 200,000 men (Crimean War of 1853-56). 

That war has many parallels with what is happening in Ukraine today.   

Russia was covetous of warm seaports on the Black Sea, part of the Ottoman Empire.  Russia had been advancing towards the Black Sea for over 100 years, first defeating the Cossacks and then the Tartars.  Emboldened by this success, and also in a long dispute with the Ottomans about protection of Orthodox Christians [same as ethnic Russians in Ukraine?], Russia advanced and occupied part of the sovereign territory of the Ottoman Empire. [sound familiar?].

Diplomats went into action and diplomatic solutions proposed, yet all failed [sound familiar?].  Turkey declared war, and quickly  had to retreat before  the much stronger Russian forces [sound familiar?]. 

Europe had big balls [sound unfamiliar?], so after diplomacy failed, Britain, France and Sardinia  came to the defense of the Ottomans to fight what became known as the Crimean War.

Russia lost this war, yet as we know never lost its desire for the Black Sea, and that lust evidently continues today. 

[Steamer]

To say that Ukraine has not been invaded is blind madness.

One thing I've noticed in the western press releases and even the US govt. when speaking about Ukraine is that they never speak of fighting Russian troops. It's always about helping Ukraine fight the Russian backed separatists or supplying weapons to fight Russian backed separatists. It's never just Russians. Why?

[mendeleyev]

That's like calling the US "advisors" in Afghanistan an invasion. A presence sure but invasion?

You haven't been listening carefully at home. The war in Afghanistan is just that, a WAR. Invasion? Obvious.

One thing I've noticed in the western press releases and even the US govt. when speaking about Ukraine is that they never speak of fighting Russian troops. It's always about helping Ukraine fight the Russian backed separatists or supplying weapons to fight Russian backed separatists. It's never just Russians. Why?

Again fairly obvious...for diplomatic reasons. Although President Obama is changing his language on this and seems to be more comfortable in identifying who the real troops are.

[Muzh]

Nope. What do you expect to happen when you threaten a country's existence? Thanks? Roll over and play dead? Not going to happen. What the US, EU or anyone else thinks doesn't matter, it's how Russia perceives all this that determines how Russia will respond. I think you need to find a new enemy.

Now you understand why Ukraine is fighting Russia?

[Steamer]

You haven't been listening carefully at home. The war in Afghanistan is just that, a WAR. Invasion? Obvious.

How about the countless other situations where the US puts advisors in, are those invasions?

[Muzh]

Why phony? Because you don't like the result?
Here is the recent survey poll made by Ukrainian agency:
http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2015/02/4/7057470/


I'll translate:
82% of Crimeans supports completely reunification of Crimea with Russia;
11% of Crimeans supports conditionally;
And only 7% doubts or against reunification.

Don't challenge the will of people           

Sorry, those numbers do not add to the official tally of 114% voting for the reunification. 

[Steamer]

Now you understand why Ukraine is fighting Russia?

Ukraine is fighting other Ukrainians.

[Hammer2722]

Ukraine is fighting other Ukrainians.

   Wow, you really are eating up Putin's crap! Let me guess. Your married to a woman from Russia?

[Steamer]

Again fairly obvious...for diplomatic reasons. Although President Obama is changing his language on this and seems to be more comfortable in identifying who the real troops are.

And the media is in on it too. Quite a conspiracy!

[Muzh]

Ukraine is fighting other Ukrainians.

Bullshit

[Gator]

Ukraine is fighting other Ukrainians.

For a long time my 15-yo brainwashed stepson would say the same.  He no longer says such. 

The correct statement would be:

Ukraine is fighting some Ukrainians, a lot of mercenaries not from Ukraine, and regular Russian troops, all supported by armor, heavy artillery and rockets. 

[Anotherkiwi]

For a long time my 15-yo brainwashed stepson would say the same.  He no longer says such. 

I am seriously glad to read this! 

Congratulations to him on finally being able to see that RT's point of view is not the only one.

[AkMike]

Ukraine is fighting other Ukrainians.

 Then why do some of the dead "Ukrainians" hold Russian passports? 

[Brasscasing]

One thing I've noticed in the western press releases and even the US govt. when speaking about Ukraine is that they never speak of fighting Russian troops. It's always about helping Ukraine fight the Russian backed separatists or supplying weapons to fight Russian backed separatists. It's never just Russians. Why?

Most media outlets subscribe to the, I'll use the term 'media balanced reporting card'. They try to report all sides of the story using either the PC or neutral stance in an effort not to offend anyone or condemn/favor one viewpoint over another.

Case in point; Some moron in the Toronto school system thought it'd be wonderful to have our traitor buddy Edward Snowden speak by internet to students on matters of national security.

The irony in this is sublime and the public/parent outcry was immediate and severe. However, CTV news balances the story to read that...

..."“Many are calling him criminal, some are using the term hero, but I don’t think that negates us from having him as a speaker,”...

...and reporting that one commenter thought it was condoning Snowden's actions while another was pleased to have such an interesting individual speak via Livestream. Further, that someone commented it might be an idea to have someone from the government speak on behalf of same while another thought it was legitimizing Snowden's actions and not something he wanted his son exposed to.

All very balanced and fair reporting, yes? However, according to the article Snowden's appearance "sparked debate" when it'd be more accurate to report the overwhelming majority of parents and community went ballistic having their children lectured to by a wanted criminal taking refuge in a country hostile to Canada... but that isn't balanced reporting you see.

We are our own worst enemy sometimes.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/nsa-leaker-edward-snowden-addresses-toronto-school-from-russia-1.2216706#ixzz3QpDI4QDY
 

[Gator]

I am seriously glad to read this! 

Congratulations to him on finally being able to see that RT's point of view is not the only one.

Still a way to go.  However, he no longer admires Putin and prefers to remain silent on the conflict in Ukraine.  My entire household avoids the subject. 

[Steamer]

Most media outlets subscribe to the, I'll use the term 'media balanced reporting card'. They try to report all sides of the story using either the PC or neutral stance in an effort not to offend anyone or condemn/favor one viewpoint over another.

I'm impressed! You and Mende both managed to tap dance around this like a couple of pro's. Bravo!

[jone]

I'm impressed! You and Mende both managed to tap dance around this like a couple of pro's. Bravo!

Are you impressed that the Western outlets allow for balanced reporting?  Or are you impressed that Russia screens and slants every article and news report that is released?

Please, we really want to know what impresses you. 

[Brasscasing]

I'm impressed! You and Mende both managed to tap dance around this like a couple of pro's. Bravo!

Sorry, if that answer wasn't to your liking. I'll be more direct...

Most western main stream media outlets are now reporting that there are Russians in Ukraine as the evidence to support reporting same is compelling and I'm satisfied conclusive. It's pretty well only the Russians who are still claiming that Russian military formations are not in Ukraine.

Further, I don't accept your premise that just because a media source is reporting "separatists" vice "Russian regulars" that that's in itself conclusive evidence there weren't Russian regulars present or involved.

So, whether or not your comment that Obama hasn't stated that Russians are in Ukraine is accurate; I have no idea because I haven't looked. However, just about every one of his representatives has. Just from todays news...

..."(Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to NATO said on Wednesday that Russian soldiers were present in eastern Ukraine in a command role and to operate advanced military equipment, but that another large-scale Russian intervention did not appear imminent."...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/04/us-ukraine-crisis-nato-usa-idUSKBN0L81S220150204

Whaddya think, are representatives of the administration lying just because POTUS isn't chanting there are Russians in Ukraine like a mantra, or what?

Is this what you base your cynicism on- the media or POTUS didn't mention Russian soldiers are in Ukraine today so they must not be there?

Brass

[fathertime]

I happened to be browsing the internet this evening and I ran across this article.  It appears that Russia is possibly lowering the threshold in which they will use nuclear weapons.  Well the way they probably see this is  just another consequence of USA worldwide interference on one hand, and then USA interference when Russia is trying to interfere. They appear to be willing to do whatever it takes, and we are not, will not be, and should not be.


 
The US interference of the Russian interference is going to wind up having ramifications worldwide.  It would be very easy to let Russia have it's way with Ukraine, as they pretty much always have.  Doing this doesn't mean that they can do this to other countries in Europe...this was a unique situation.   Just my opinion.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/04/ukraine-crisis-russia-nuclear-idUSL6N0VE2RV20150204
Fathertime! 

[Boethius]

Well gee, that settles it.  Let them take Ukraine, the Baltics, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, and put up the Berlin Wall again.


While we're at it, might as well give South Korea to the North because of threats of nuclear war, and let Iran control the Middle East.

[AC]

The US interference of the Russian interference is going to wind up having ramifications worldwide.  It would be very easy to let Russia have it's way with Ukraine, as they pretty much always have.  Doing this doesn't mean that they can do this to other countries in Europe...this was a unique situation.   Just my opinion.

At least you are finally coming clean.  You claiming that Russia can have their way with Ukraine, because according to you they always have...yeah that's a good reason to let Putler get his way!!!   

[fathertime]

Well gee, that settles it.  Let them take Ukraine, the Baltics, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, and put up the Berlin Wall again.


While we're at it, might as well give South Korea to the North because of threats of nuclear war, and let Iran control the Middle East.

This seems like a hysterical post.  Nobody agreed to all these other places, and I feel it is a weak argument as it pertains to Ukraine.   The Western nations should face the reality of the situation, this particular battle likely goes nuclear if it continues to escalate and Western nations get too involved...I feel that has always been on the table for this unique situation and continue to call for doing what it takes to settle it even if it is hard to swallow.  I suppose we will continue to go through the motions (and I hope that is all it is), but the continued fighting will be very harmful to the Ukrainians involved...hopefully not the rest of the world.


Fathertime!   

[sleepycat]

I happened to be browsing the internet this evening and I ran across this article. 

I just happened to be browsing the internet this evening and ran across this opinion piece on CNN. 

I was browsing the internet this morning and found this little article over at the Huffington Post that I agreed with. 

Did you really "just happened to be browsing the internet" and found all these gem articles, or were you deliberately looking for these articles so Mendeleyev can continue to school you on the subject of international politics?
BTW have you paid him the tuition fees yet?

[fathertime]

At least you are finally coming clean.  You claiming that Russia can have their way with Ukraine, because according to you they always have...yeah that's a good reason to let Putler get his way!!!   

I don't think that I've posted in any other way...this has always been a part of the line of thinking and I think I've portrayed that POV here right along, much to other's dismay. 


Fathertime!