U.S., other powers kick Russia out of G8

Another twist in the US/Russia/Ukraine situation, where it now looks like Russia's membership in the G8 has been suspended/terminated for now. Russia doesn't seem too concerned over this, I doubt they will lose any sleep, but this is just another probing attempt by my country (The US) towards Russia. There is a saying that goes "the straw that broke the camels back", right now both countries are piling up crap on one another and before you know it there will be a breaking point and then WWIII will be here... Just felt I would share this story from CNN with the rest of you.

The Hague, Netherlands (CNN) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders have decided to end Russia's role in the group of leading industrialized nations, the White House said Monday.
The move to suspend Russia's membership in the G8 is the latest direct response from major countries allied against Russia's annexation of Crimea.
"International law prohibits the acquisition of part or all of another state's territory through coercion or force," the statement said. "To do so violates the principles upon which the international system is built. We condemn the illegal referendum held in Crimea in violation of Ukraine's constitution.
"We also strongly condemn Russia's illegal attempt to annex Crimea in contravention of international law and specific international obligations."
Earlier in the day, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said being kicked out of G8 would be no big deal.
"G8 is an informal organization that does not give out any membership cards and, by its definition, cannot remove anyone," he said during a news conference. " All the economic and financial questions are decided in G20, and G8 has the purpose of existence as the forum of dialogue between the leading Western countries and Russia.
"If our Western partners believe that this organizational format has outlived, so be it. At least, we are not attached to this format and we don't see a great misfortune if it will not gather. Maybe, for a year or two, it will be an experiment for us to see how we live without it."
In a nod to political and economic reforms, the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy added Russia to their group in 1998 -- transforming it from the G7 to the G8.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed to CNN that a group summit initially planned for June in Sochi, Russia, where the Winter Olympics were just held, is now off.

CNN Source

Mods I ran a search and looked at the "new" threads list but didn't see anything. Feel free to 86' this thread if there is a duplicate.

I fear they are damaging each others national interests to a point where War will be inevitable

all2human
I fear they are damaging each others national interests to a point where War will be inevitable

A bunch of stubborn government leaders is a scary thing... Agendas that are opposite of our own citizens best interest is also a scary thing...

Russia may be happy about this.

The move will strengthen BRICS.

Ughh, when will the powers in the West just let it go.

This is getting beyond ridiculous and is absolute hypocrisy from the USA. Need I mention the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as many others that were started with the help of or directly by the USA that Russia vehemently opposed.....

There were very few sanctions and fallouts from Russian toward us over those moves. Russia has taken Crimea in an almost bloodless move and we are screaming bloody murder.

Dumb

This reminds me more of cold war posturing (that I grew up with) than the beginnings of WWIII. I hope I am correct.

reply to post by jhn7537


Great...an ever growing global map of lines being drawn in the sand...

All these little boy and girl leaders egging each other on in a game of chicken, that no one will win.

Des

Honestly

Did anybody expect this not to happen?

It was them way before Russia was ever invited/involved.

reply to post by jhn7537


I think this will only further distance the U.S. diplomatically from Russia, and make Putin a little more likely to make a trade deal with China in the coming month.

reply to post by all2human


This is about western weakness, apprehension and indecision.

Frankly, this is a situation that actually does call for the UN. Last time the UN overruled a security council member (UNEF, I think) was during the Suez crisis but, it can be done if they choose to do it.

I don't think they will, the west has presented its kaboose to the neo-soviets, they are just taking what we have offered.

Had we not disarmed Ukraine, this would not have happened. If ever there was an open and shut case against unilateral disarmament, this is it.

Invading a country based on lies = A-OK

Taking back territory you gave to another country and said territory contains a large majority of your own people = evil

Sure, that makes sense!

SLAYER69
Honestly

Did anybody expect this not to happen?

It was them way before Russia was ever invited/involved.

Slayer, right now, nothing surprises me when it comes to my Govt. (USA) doing highly questionable things... I just have to wonder when they will all hit their tipping points...

I did like the comment Lavrov had on this :

“The G8 is an informal club, no one gives out membership cards and no one can expel members,” Lavrov told a media conference at the Hague. “If our Western partners believe that this format has exhausted itself, let it be. We are not clinging to it.”

He went on to say that many believe that the G8 has already fulfilled its mission as many issues are now discussed at the G20 forum.
“Generally speaking, there are also other formats for considering many questions, including the UN Security Council, the Middle East Quartet and the P5+1 on the Iranian nuclear problem,” Lavrov told journalists.

Could seizing a country by Russia actually be a behind the scenes deal by the two leaders in order to start a "new" cold war? Perhaps an attempt to kick start the economies.....or "take it back to the good old days" ...................... but without a fight.

CaptainBeno
Could seizing a country by Russia actually be a behind the scenes deal by the two leaders in order to start a "new" cold war? Perhaps an attempt to kick start the economies.....or "take it back to the good old days" ...................... but without a fight.

Likely the second point you made. Obama is not smart enough to be able to "kick start" our economy...

markosity1973
Ughh, when will the powers in the West just let it go.

This is getting beyond ridiculous and is absolute hypocrisy from the USA. Need I mention the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as many others that were started with the help of or directly by the USA that Russia vehemently opposed.....

There were very few sanctions and fallouts from Russian toward us over those moves. Russia has taken Crimea in an almost bloodless move and we are screaming bloody murder.

Dumb

edit on 24-3-2014 by markosity1973 because: (no reason given)

My thoughts precisely!

jhn7537
Slayer, right now, nothing surprises me when it comes to my Govt. (USA) doing highly questionable things... I just have to wonder when they will all hit their tipping points...

Wait, Wait.

I've no illusion about the US Gov doing 'Questionable things' but Russia just robbed their neighbors milk cow...

reply to post by CaptainBeno


I don't think so, I get the feeling that the US has taken the role of Cesar, and will be stabbed in the back pretty soon. Everyone is sick of being controlled by the petroldollar, add all the latest scandals in the mix ( prism ) and well you have entity's like Europe just waiting for someone to do the dirty work.

I think most of the country's will sit this one out, and prepare for a new dawn. Well China and Russia are preparing for this, that much is obvious.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Really? Ukraine was poor already, there was no more milk for Russia, now either America or Europe will bail out ukraine and that way Ukraine can pay back Russia(Gazprom).

To back my claim:

Ukraine owes Russia $11b after collapse of 2010 deal, Russian Prime Minsiter Dmitry Medvedev says to President Vladimir Putin at Security Council meeting, according to transcript on Kremlin website.

Medvedev adds $3b Ukraine bonds bought in Dec., ~$2b debt to Gazprom for natgas supplies

NOTE: In 2010, Russia agreed to sell natgas at discount in exchange for extending lease to Black Sea naval port of Sevastopol in Crimea to 2042 from 2017
www.zerohedge.com...