Ukraine Sevastopol as Future Target

[Shadow]

I would not recommend Ukraine as peace keepers based on their recent statements. They have too much invested interest in the conflict, and the best peace keeping is by those who have close to none.
And yes that shows Russia is not a correct choice for peace in the regions either.

[55North]

Indeed, the present scenario wherein Russian soldiers simply swop helmets and dig in for a long stay on the, say, Poti road, is a joke.

[Misha]

Indeed, the present scenario wherein Russian soldiers simply swop helmets and dig in for a long stay on the, say, Poti road, is a joke.

Especially since the Federation Council and State Duma have unanimously voted to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7580386.stm). Yes, the vote is meaningless unless the Russian President acts upon it, but it certainly puts Russia's motives into question in its role as "peacekeeper."

[Shadow]

The vote has been done by request of the regions them selves.
This is another chess move by Russia. They know that as long as they are alone they are unlikely to get support.
By the latest moves they actually force the UN to take their place or at least supervise the peace keeping, with all risks involved regarding international tensions, and all rewards regarding Georgia being unable to solve the conflict by force.

[Misha]

By the latest moves they actually force the UN to take their place or at least supervise the peace keeping, with all risks involved regarding international tensions, and all rewards regarding Georgia being unable to solve the conflict by force.

Well, if anything, Abkhazia and South Ossetia will become the next Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: countries whose sovereignty is recognized solely by its patron.

[OlgaH]

The modern Sevastopol' is located on the territory of an ancient Greek colony Chersonesos that was established in 529/528 BC by settlers from Heraclea Pontica. Later Chersonesos was a territory of Rome and Byzantine Empires.

In 988 the prince of Kievan Rus Vladimir Svyatoslavich the Great seized Chersonesos and the prince was baptized there and after in 989 he baptized whole  Kievan Rus. Then Chersonesos was totally destroyed by Golden Horde, and during 1475—1774 the territory of destroyed Chersonesos was under Ottoman Empire.

After the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774 the Ottoman Empire signed the Treaty  and gave the Crimean Khanate to Russia, and the Russian generalissimus Alexander  Suvorov started to force the Turkish fleet out from Akhtiar harbor (Tatar name Ak-Yar - White Rock, later was named Sevastopol harbor)

In 1782 two first Russian ships-frigates "The Brave" and "The Prudent" came to Akhtiar harbor to spend the winter time.
Sevastopol was founded in 1783, but the city got the name only in 1784 when Catherina the Great ordered to Grigory Potyomkin to build a fortress and give the name Sevastopol (two Greek words: Σεβαστος (sebastos) - majestic and πολις (polis) - a city). 

Russia lost Sevastopol (to be more correct the ruins of Sevastopol) at the war against joint army of England, France and Turkey during 1853—1856. But  when Russia won the war with Turkey in 1877—1878 the Sevastopol was again the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

In 1954 Nikita Khruschev (First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964) transfered the Crimean Peninsula from the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic territory to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic territory.

[msmoby_ru]

Well, if anything, Abkhazia and South Ossetia will become the next Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: countries whose sovereignty is recognized solely by its patron.

and one can only fly into the "TRNC" via Turkey  - no direct flight - other than from Azerbajhan ... perhaps - like the "TRNC" it will attract criminals and fugitives from justice - like Mr Azil Nadir...

[SANDRO43]

Russia lost Sevastopol (to be more correct the ruins of Sevastopol) at the war against joint army of England, France and Turkey during 1853—1856.

Ah ha, caught you in a glaring omission my dear OlgaPedia, you forgot to mention that the Kingdom of Sardinia (Kingdom of Italy after 1861) also participated in the Crimean War: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_War) .

[msmoby_ru]

Ah ha, caught you in a glaring omission my dear OlgaPedia, you forgot to mention that the Kingdom of Sardinia (Kingdom of Italy after 1861) also participated in the Crimean War: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_War) .

and it was the United Kingdom - not "England" that was at war with Russia

[wxman]

Interesting new poll. Majority of eastern Ukrainians no longer want Russian fleet to stay.

http://www.kyivpost.com/nation/29538/

"The biggest changes in public opinion were fixed in Ukraine's Russian­leaning eastern regions, Khmilko said adding that 22 percent more (from 11 to 33 percent) of eastern Ukrainians want the fleet out compared to prior polls. The number of eastern Ukrainians that want Russia’s fleet to stay decreased by 17 percent, from 62 to 45 percent."

[kievstar]

Unfortunately Crimea is a Republic and they can vote to leave Ukraine legally.  Even with negative press recently, most of Crimea backs Russia.

East knows Putin does not like corruption unless it is government run - East is full of rich Russians.

I am back to Ukraine this weekend and will ask all the girls I meet what they think of Georgia and USA should be interesting what they say.

[Ronnie]

Putin's men are leftovers from the old soviet days of tank diplomacy.  Curiously they still apparently believe that opinions can be changed by force.