# Russia has invaded Ukraine. How will the West respond? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513 "2014-02-28T15:06:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 134
**Author:** ![NotfooledbyW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f475e1/32.png) [@NotfooledbyW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotfooledbyW)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2661 "2014-04-22T11:04:15Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Dance, NfbW, dance! Now there is a silly argument after the facts in the language has been plainly laid out for you. ---
**Author:** ![Batistuta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58956e/32.png) [@Batistuta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batistuta)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2662 "2014-04-22T11:49:05Z")
> [@BrokenBriton](#): > > After the head of the CIA’s visit two weeks ago, I see Joe Biden has started [electioneering for the puppet regime](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27106630). No, he has met the interim Prime Minister. Important difference there ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2663 "2014-04-22T12:01:21Z")
The puppet went to the White House last month to “meet”. It’s nice that the CIA, John Kerry and now Joe Biden find time to visit their friends like this - real neighbourly. And what, just three weeks to the election. I guess it’s just as well the puppet excluded only adult Russian males from entering Ukraine in the lead up to the election. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2664 "2014-04-22T13:38:47Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Dance, NfbW, dance! > [@NotfooledbyW](#): > > Now there is a silly argument after the facts in the language has been plainly laid out for you. It’s a perfect description of what you just did. Not silly at all. ---
**Author:** ![NotfooledbyW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f475e1/32.png) [@NotfooledbyW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotfooledbyW)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2665 "2014-04-23T12:04:12Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Dance, NfbW, dance! No it is more of this: > [@](#): > > My understanding of RedFury’s and Scabpicker’s words appears to match what scabpicker thought he said the day before at 07:37 PM when he wrote on 04-19-2014 10:27 AM > > > [@](#): > > > > Ok, ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2666 "2014-04-23T12:22:00Z")
Before you go trotting out my generous statement again, remember that I didn’t say it justified Russia’s actions in any way. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2667 "2014-04-23T20:11:06Z")
Well, it does kind of appear that Putin’s ultimate goal is to annex as much of Ukraine as feasable: [Russia ‘to respond if its interests’ attacked](http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27124453). So, what part of the Ukraine does Putin think the Ukrainian government has authority over, exactly? I think the question is (and the implied question has always been): How far past Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea is Putin willing to go? Because today is a good indicator that he thinks he can claim these three provinces for Russia without much of a hassle. If he actually moves in his forces that are massed on the border in reaction to the Ukrainian government trying to take the buildings back, he might be right. The other question is how well Ukraine can defend these cities if they do try to hold on to them. I don’t think the interim government is really able to command much power at the moment, and it remains to be seen how much of a rallying cry the western 2/3rd of the country sees in the annexation of the eastern 1/3 of the country. Curious days, these. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2668 "2014-04-24T15:45:29Z")
Looks like Joe “perma-tan” Biden was sent to Kiev to let the dogs out: [**Ukraine launches deadly assault on rebel-held towns**](http://news.yahoo.com/biden-pledges-support-ukraines-pro-western-leaders-094545214.html) Doubt that Putin will fall into the obvious trap that’s been set for him, he has his own game plan and it’s playing very well globally – but unfortunately, that means The Junta is going to saciate some of their blood-thirst against their own countrymen, the so-called pro-Russian “terrorists.” ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2669 "2014-04-24T15:59:13Z")
What’s the obvious trap again? ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2670 "2014-04-24T16:01:33Z")
What is with the balaclavas? In every single picture I’ve seen from this crisis, anyone - militia, uniformed regulars, Russians pretending to be militia - holding a rifle is also sporting a balaclava. Anyone know what the deal is with that? ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2671 "2014-04-24T16:20:26Z")
It’s cold? There are a lot of air-born germs? Fashion? ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2672 "2014-04-24T16:22:19Z")
Also, is Joe Biden hosting a game show I don’t know about? ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2673 "2014-04-24T17:10:04Z")
> [@BrokenBriton](#): > > It’s cold? There are a lot of air-born germs? Fashion? Funny, it doesn’t look like it was cold enough to need them in [February](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colective_portrait_of_activists_as_the_cashes_stop._Euromaidan,_Kyiv,_UKraine._Eventts_of_February_22,_2014..jpg). It’s seems more likely that by mid-April, your choice is probably based on if you’re proud enough of what you are doing to show your face. ---
**Author:** ![Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/aca169/32.png) [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inbred_Mm_domesticus)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2674 "2014-04-24T17:33:35Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Looks like Joe “perma-tan” Biden was sent to Kiev to let the dogs out: > > [**Ukraine launches deadly assault on rebel-held towns**](http://news.yahoo.com/biden-pledges-support-ukraines-pro-western-leaders-094545214.html) > > Doubt that Putin will fall into the obvious trap that’s been set for him, he has his own game plan and it’s playing very well globally – but unfortunately, that means The Junta is going to saciate some of their blood-thirst against their own countrymen, the so-called pro-Russian “terrorists.” In your own article it describes the torture and murder of a government official. Of course they’re terrorists and foreigners. I am glad Biden is there to make it clear America intends to continue our imperialist expansion. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2675 "2014-04-24T17:41:56Z")
Oh that’s right. The puppet told us all about the “torture”, and even the political allegiance of those responsible. Seems to know a lot that feller. Joe Biden must be relieved to have a guy like that to work with. Lets hope Joe doesn’t also get sent home with a packed lunch on a bus by the civilian population. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2676 "2014-04-24T21:20:58Z")
Putin’s response was immediate. “If the Kiev government is using the army against its own people this is clearly a grave crime,” he declared. And he is right. Keep plucking that bear. ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2677 "2014-04-24T21:35:40Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > What is with the balaclavas? In every single picture I’ve seen from this crisis, anyone - militia, uniformed regulars, Russians pretending to be militia - holding a rifle is also sporting a balaclava. Anyone know what the deal is with that? Without the balaclavas, the Russian soldiers ( I meant _ **militia members** _) could be identified and outed on YouTube. Putin would have been smarter to have trained militias in Russia and then export them back into Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2678 "2014-04-24T21:46:26Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > What’s the obvious trap again? The US won’t lift a fucking finger to try and stabilize the situation, because that is not what they want. They want Russia to make a move so that they can come with more bullshit propaganda from their side – and with the “right” backing (which they fully lack ATM) a full on war. One where no one can win obviously. Seriously, fuck Oblah blah blah, his puppet masters and, in turn, the ones in Ukraine. Then again, surely you knew that already. Cripes! If even I could figure it out, what’s left for IP self-professed geniuses? Got beef? Or care to ruminate away? ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2679 "2014-04-24T21:51:09Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > The US won’t lift a fucking finger to try and stabilize the situation, because that is not what they want. They want Russia to make a move so that they can come with more bullshit propaganda from their side – and with the “right” backing (which they fully lack ATM) a full on war. One where no one can win obviously. You are probably correct. The US should allow Russia to bog itself down in a foolish war that it provoked. It will squander precious resources that the country could use to strengthen its economy vis-a-vis the US and also lead to more nations pressing to come under the NATO umbrella.Russia thus makes things easier for US foreign policy with our only having to protest on TV and enact sanctions. A win-win for the USA! ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/2680 "2014-04-24T23:05:10Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > The US won’t lift a fucking finger to try and stabilize the situation, because that is not what they want. They want Russia to make a move so that they can come with more bullshit propaganda from their side – and with the “right” backing (which they fully lack ATM) a full on war. One where no one can win obviously. > > Seriously, fuck Oblah blah blah, his puppet masters and, in turn, the ones in Ukraine. > > Then again, surely you knew that already. > > Cripes! If even I could figure it out, what’s left for IP self-professed geniuses? So they are trying to trick Russia into starting World War 3. That’s a plan so clever we should pin a tail on it and call it a fox. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513.md?page=133) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513.md?page=135)