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During an interview with NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel, Crimea's Deputy Prime Minister called Sunday's referendum "the first step."
"It's the first step. I really think so," the deputy prime minister, Rustam Temirgaliev, said. "I think the second step will be eastern Ukraine."
Russian commandos stormed the Moskva Hotel in Simferopol, and nobody really knows why. It was the eve of the referendum and the hotel is where many of the international journalists covering the situation in Crimea are staying. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky tries to figure out if the troops were sent on a manhunt, or on a mission to intimidate members of the press
all2human
reply to post by majesticgent
Photo op
nothing more
special forces don't often come through the front dooredit on 16-3-2014 by all2human because: (no reason given)
all2human
reply to post by dragonridr
Did you notice the 60 or so photographers who just happened to be ready when they walked through the door, gimme a break
edit on 17-3-2014 by all2human because: (no reason given)
sy.gunson
This nightmare will only end when the Russian people themselves rid themselves of that tyrant Putin. I have Russian friends who are just as upset by all this.
This is so reminiscent of Hitler marching into the Sudetenland and then taking over the rest of Czechoslovakia. Putin is a Nazi and his followers are fascist thugs.
Yusomad
sy.gunson
This nightmare will only end when the Russian people themselves rid themselves of that tyrant Putin. I have Russian friends who are just as upset by all this.
This is so reminiscent of Hitler marching into the Sudetenland and then taking over the rest of Czechoslovakia. Putin is a Nazi and his followers are fascist thugs.
Just a heads up: the fascists are aligned with the western powers, nothing to do with russia-putin, just so you know.
rigel4
Yusomad
sy.gunson
This nightmare will only end when the Russian people themselves rid themselves of that tyrant Putin. I have Russian friends who are just as upset by all this.
This is so reminiscent of Hitler marching into the Sudetenland and then taking over the rest of Czechoslovakia. Putin is a Nazi and his followers are fascist thugs.
Just a heads up: the fascists are aligned with the western powers, nothing to do with russia-putin, just so you know.
So in your own words:
How would you describe Putin?
His Role in the crisis?
Use as many words as you like.edit on Mon, 17 Mar 2014 03:15:32 -0500153America/ChicagoMonday4 by rigel4 because: (no reason given)
Personally, I don't think NATO would be necessarily imposing a nuclear WWIII by maintaining a defensive posture in the region. If for example, NATO sent troops into eastern Ukraine as a defensive force, only to not allow Putin to advance further out of Crimea. It would be Putin's move and if WWIII kicked off, it would be 100% on his shoulders. The world stage would know he provoked WWIII by advancing on NATO forces. (which, ultimately IMO would deter him from advancing further) Just my opinion.
Wookiep
reply to post by pheonix358
I do agree it's messy, but I disagree when it comes to mainland Ukraine, and for several reasons.
If NATO were to take a defensive posture in Ukraine (proper), it would not be an attempt by NATO to take over (invade) Ukraine, let alone by asking for the country to vote on whether Ukraine now become a part of Europe. It would be a fulfillment of a treaty signed by both parties in 1994 to protect against outside forces in exchange for their nukes. Remember, Ukraine proper is NOT Russia, it was not Russia before or after the Kiev protests. It was a part of Russia in the 50's, but it is not now, it is totally independent of Russia ie it's OWN nation.
Your beef is with the west's view of Crimea, but we are no longer talking about Crimea. NATO entering Ukraine as a defensive force in no way compares to Russia's actions in Crimea. Nor would NATO's mission be to take back Crimea for Ukraine. What I'm talking about is solely a defensive force to stop Putin from advancing further into the mainland.
There will undoubtedly be eternal arguments concerning Crimea, but I think most agree it now belongs to Russia. Even though the west does not recognize this, there will be no invasion of Crimea by NATO or anyone else. However, if the west does not respond to Russia on any future advances by Putin into Ukraine mainland then we have a whole different set of problems. (see article I posted in the post you responded to)
edit on 17-3-2014 by Wookiep because: (no reason given)