# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/21 "2014-02-28T18:47:44Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The US has guaranteed Ukrainian territorial integrity. That worries me. A lot. I found this, [here](http://www.dw.de/moscow-pledges-to-respect-ukraines-territorial-integrity-after-russian-flag-raised-in-crimea/a-17464086): > [@](#): > > Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow “will respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine” but voiced concerns about the situation in Crimea, according to US Secretary of State John Kerry. After meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Washington, Kerry said he had spoken by telephone with Lavrov on Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/22 "2014-02-28T18:49:02Z")
Yes, that is the example I am remembering. The[Budapest memorandum](http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ukraine._Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances). ---
**Author:** ![WheatCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@WheatCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WheatCat)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/23 "2014-02-28T18:55:21Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Yes, that is the example I am remembering. > > The[Budapest memorandum](http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ukraine._Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances). Is what the example and what does the Budapest memo have to do with it? Are you making furtive posts from your PC at work, or something? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/24 "2014-02-28T18:57:59Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will consult in the event a situation arises which raises a question concerning these commitments. I believe they are in the process of “consulting”. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/25 "2014-02-28T18:59:04Z")
> [@WheatCat](#): > > I think Russians are the majority ethnic group in Crimea, and I also recall that during the Soviet era it was originally part of the Russian Soviet Federation Socialist Republic. Then Khrushchev, who was part or all Ukrainian took it away from the Russian SFSR and gave it to the Ukrainian SSR pretty much as a gift. > > So both as a matter of history and nationality Ukraine’s claim the the Crimea is short of airtight. These are my thoughts as well. Crimea getting lumped in with Ukraine was somewhat of a historical accident. I think this situation might be best handled with a referendum. If most of the Crimean residents would rather be part of Russian than part of Ukraine, than I wouldn’t be that upset Russia ended up with it, as long as the transfer was peaceful. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/26 "2014-02-28T18:59:55Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > But that ended well enough. It’s over? Syria’s still a bloody horror. How is anything “ended”? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/27 "2014-02-28T19:03:16Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It’s over? Syria’s still a bloody horror. How is anything “ended”? I believe he meant that Russia and the US did not come to blows over Syria and managed to come to a resolution with respect to the CW issue. ---
**Author:** ![Marmite\_Lover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/28 "2014-02-28T19:04:10Z")
[![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bhk7M9ZCQAE9Umg.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bhk7M9ZCQAE9Umg.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/29 "2014-02-28T19:08:49Z")
> [@Marmite\_Lover](#): > > [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bhk7M9ZCQAE9Umg.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bhk7M9ZCQAE9Umg.jpg) :dubious: ---
**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:** [February 28, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/30 "2014-02-28T19:09:33Z")
> [@Marmite\_Lover](#): > > [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bhk7M9ZCQAE9Umg.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bhk7M9ZCQAE9Umg.jpg) :rolleyes: So, despite saying that this whole uprising and deposing of the Moscow favourite was a US plot, Putin is still the chess grandmaster because he sent troops in? Why don’t you explain that apparent paradox. ---
**Author:** ![Marmite\_Lover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/31 "2014-02-28T19:13:00Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > These are my thoughts as well. Crimea getting lumped in with Ukraine was somewhat of a historical accident. I think this situation might be best handled with a referendum. If most of the Crimean residents would rather be part of Russian than part of Ukraine, than I wouldn’t be that upset Russia ended up with it, as long as the transfer was peaceful. Ah but the Pro Russian East is where the Ukrainian wealth is [http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user3303/imageroot/2014/02-overflow/20140223\_ukr.png](http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user3303/imageroot/2014/02-overflow/20140223_ukr.png) ---
**Author:** ![Marmite\_Lover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/32 "2014-02-28T19:14:45Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > :rolleyes: So, despite saying that this whole uprising and deposing of the Moscow favourite was a US plot, Putin is still the chess grandmaster because he sent troops in? Why don’t you explain that apparent paradox. US and EU plot ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/33 "2014-02-28T19:17:31Z")
Is Russia part of the the EU or the US? ---
**Author:** ![Marmite\_Lover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/34 "2014-02-28T19:20:22Z")
Russians liberating Crimea? [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK2lNuiD7gM) ---
**Author:** ![Marmite\_Lover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/35 "2014-02-28T19:23:20Z")
Ukrtelecom now reporting that the Crimea is cut off from the mainland after facilities occupied, fibre optic cables cut ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/36 "2014-02-28T19:23:32Z")
> [@Marmite\_Lover](#): > > Russians liberating Crimea? > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK2lNuiD7gM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK2lNuiD7gM) From who? Ze Jermans??.. ---
**Author:** ![Batistuta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58956e/32.png) [@Batistuta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batistuta)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/37 "2014-02-28T19:25:26Z")
> [@Marmite\_Lover](#): > > Ah but the Pro Russian East is where the Ukrainian wealth is > [http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user3303/imageroot/2014/02-overflow/20140223\_ukr.png](http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user3303/imageroot/2014/02-overflow/20140223_ukr.png) Except, you know, Kiev, which happens to be both the wealthiest region in Ukraine AND repeatedly voted against pro-Russian candidates. Teeny detail though ---
**Author:** ![Marmite\_Lover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/38 "2014-02-28T19:33:44Z")
5 Russian Il-76 planes filled with troops have landed at military airport in Gvardiysky near Simferopol BBC report Zhirinovsky stuck at Simferopol airport with the LDPR delegation and says they cannot fly back to Moscow because “Kiev have closed the airspace” Interfax Jewish Synagogue closes doors to Friday sabbath after anti semitic attacks and death to Jews being painted on it’s walls [http://blogs.rj.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Antisemitic-graffiti-200x200.jpg](http://blogs.rj.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Antisemitic-graffiti-200x200.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Marmite\_Lover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/39 "2014-02-28T19:39:13Z")
> [@Batistuta](#): > > Except, you know, Kiev, which happens to be both the wealthiest region in Ukraine AND repeatedly voted against pro-Russian candidates. Teeny detail though maybe the EU should just offer to take Kiev and leave the rest and they can surround it with a huge concrete wall and watch towers and an Iron Dome etc etc etc ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513/40 "2014-02-28T19:41:39Z")
[Rather optimistic analysis from the _L.A. Times._](http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-russia-ukraine-20140227,0,3595373,full.story#axzz2uZ7BUMAQ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-has-invaded-ukraine-how-will-the-west-respond/682513.md?page=3)