European Politics
- Thread starter Forostar
- Start date
Black Wizard
Pleb Hunter
That's odd. I just assumed that considering Russia's past it would still be a socialist state.
No, it's just an empire these days. Same shit, different colour.
Now this sounds really scary:
Crimea crisis deepens as Russia and Ukraine ready forces
In Moscow, Reuters reports that the Duma, has asked President Vladimir Putin to take measures to stabilise the situation in Ukraine’s Crimea.
Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of the Duma, said “The Duma Council adopted an appeal to the president of Russia, in which parliamentarians are calling on the president to take measures to stabilise the situation in Crimea and use all available means to protect the people of Crimea from tyranny and violence.”
Now this sounds really scary:
Crimea crisis deepens as Russia and Ukraine ready forces
In Moscow, Reuters reports that the Duma, has asked President Vladimir Putin to take measures to stabilise the situation in Ukraine’s Crimea.
Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of the Duma, said “The Duma Council adopted an appeal to the president of Russia, in which parliamentarians are calling on the president to take measures to stabilise the situation in Crimea and use all available means to protect the people of Crimea from tyranny and violence.”
From the same ticker:
Kiev-based Unian report some more worrying developments.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said that about 300 soldiers are trying to capture a Sevastopol naval bases. Ukrainian ships have ordered to sea.
It is not clear if weapons are being fired or if there are any injuries.
And
According to various Russian and Ukrainian reports, the crisis is spreading from Crimea to other parts of the Ukraine. There are reports that pro-Russian demonstrators in Donestsk and Kharkiv have attempted to take parliament buildings.
Kiev-based Unian report some more worrying developments.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said that about 300 soldiers are trying to capture a Sevastopol naval bases. Ukrainian ships have ordered to sea.
It is not clear if weapons are being fired or if there are any injuries.
And
According to various Russian and Ukrainian reports, the crisis is spreading from Crimea to other parts of the Ukraine. There are reports that pro-Russian demonstrators in Donestsk and Kharkiv have attempted to take parliament buildings.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
This is bad. Very, very bad.
Here is Al Jazeera's live blog: http://live.aljazeera.com/Event/Ukraine_liveblog
More updates, less background.
More updates, less background.
Black Wizard
Pleb Hunter
What are the UN saying about all of this? I thought the UN existed to stop this kind of thing happening.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
In a conflict where one of the five regular members of the security council have interests, we all know that any resolution will be stopped by a veto.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
That's exactly what I meant to say.
CBC reports that the new PM of the Ukraine is not going to resist Russian "security" efforts in the Crimea. Aka... If that's all Putin wants, he can have it.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
And this will make sure we have peace in our time ...?
I certainly hope so. If it's not, though...
From the Guardian live blog:
3.23pm GMT
The federation council has now approved Putin’s request to use armed force in Ukraine.
3.48pm GMT
The federal council has now asked Putin to withdraw the Russian ambassador to the United States while other government figures use calmer rhetoric, stating the proposal to use Russian troops may not be used immediately.
THE FUCK???
3.23pm GMT
The federation council has now approved Putin’s request to use armed force in Ukraine.
3.48pm GMT
The federal council has now asked Putin to withdraw the Russian ambassador to the United States while other government figures use calmer rhetoric, stating the proposal to use Russian troops may not be used immediately.
THE FUCK???
bearfan
Ancient Mariner
This seems about right
15.55 The key question is: Why has Putin sought approval from the upper house for military action?
He didn't ask their permission before invading Georgia in 2008. And it doesn't carry any international legal weight. It's a red rag to Ukraine, the USA and the EU.
So why has he done it?
Dr Jonathan Eyal, international director at RUSI, has just given me his verdict.
It's buffoonery. It's a typical Putin thing - to give the veneer of authority on something that is already unfolding. It's nonsense, and doesn't give him any legitimacy at all to attack Ukraine.
But there are several reasons why he's done it.
Firstly, it's part of his blackmail of Ukraine, trying to force them to come into his circle.
Secondly, it is to give the appearance of legitimacy, and claim that a reluctant Russia was forced to act.
And thirdly, perhaps most importantly, it is a message to Russia itself: no one wants an invasion of Crimea, so he is trying to build consensus.
15.55 The key question is: Why has Putin sought approval from the upper house for military action?
He didn't ask their permission before invading Georgia in 2008. And it doesn't carry any international legal weight. It's a red rag to Ukraine, the USA and the EU.
So why has he done it?
Dr Jonathan Eyal, international director at RUSI, has just given me his verdict.
But there are several reasons why he's done it.
Firstly, it's part of his blackmail of Ukraine, trying to force them to come into his circle.
Secondly, it is to give the appearance of legitimacy, and claim that a reluctant Russia was forced to act.
And thirdly, perhaps most importantly, it is a message to Russia itself: no one wants an invasion of Crimea, so he is trying to build consensus.