No. Undercover Russian troops got there first (26th of February). It was only on the 27th that the Crimean parliament, surrounded by gunmen, called for a referendum.
No. here is some circumstancial evidence that says very little about the overall picture.
Some of the events are quite ‘normal’ (particularly the one of Maidan supporters supposedly “beating” a woman, which shows nothing of the kind). I’m Spanish and I’ve seen stuff like this in my home country for years, but that doesn’t negate Spain’s democratic status, or allow Russia to send its troops in to Catalonia.
Some other videos (particularly the one where Svoboda members harass a journalist) are extremely worrying. Thankfully, it seems that Ukrainian democrats have made it very clear that this is unacceptable, and the event will be investigated further.
Of course. And a Russian move on Estonia is not going to happen. However there are grounds for being concerned for the Russian minority in Estonia. And the UN, EU, Amnesty International, and others have expressed similar concern in the past.
When the UN, EU and AI start invading other countries, then I’ll be concerned about them as well. As it is, Russia is the one invading other countries, so right now I’m concerned about them.
Well, yes, you did a great job picking and choosing the posts you wanted to highlight, but left out stuff like “All is well that ends well. Crimea is part of Russia” and links to alleged photos of Russian celebrations and other gushing nonsense. Your rejoicing in Russia’s bullying of Crimea doesn’t get a pass because you occasionally contradict that position.
If you say so :::shrug::: – in any event what either you and I think about the issue is completely irrelevant in so far as what actually happens. Only difference is I was able to make the right call from the start.
Just two blokes on an Internet board, one, clearly a Russophobe as most/all of his posts show and another-one, a bit more “reality-based.”
I know who is more self deluded. I bet most in this thread can figure that out as well. Gonzomax…er, sorry, I mean NFBW…certainly would be on your side, though, so that much be a great comfort to you.
And Obama said something today that Ukrainians should not have to choose between Russia and the EU. Perhaps Cargil and other big Agribusiness and other big corporate investors have Obama’s ear. The Russians proposed a similar solution suggesting to Federalize Ukraine and let the regions choose their own trade partnerships.
Once the Russophobia dies down we should limit US financial aid in the future to a mutual east west compromise to force Ukrainian’s to do what’s in the best interest of the entire region and actually for themselves.
It’s hard to explain right now over the Russophobia that tends to overwhelm many from clear headed thinking.
And you know they are identified as undercover Russian troops getting there first - how?
Well, either they’re undercover Russian troops, or a bunch of Ukrainians stole dozens of Russian military vehicles and drove into Crimea. Putin never tried too hard to disguise his troops, although he did deny any connection with them.
If someone gets “Russophobe” or “Russophobia” again I’ll have a full punchcard and get a free borscht with my next visit to “Burgers and Borscht”.
I suppose the fact that some people feel the need to include a giant barrel of well poison in each of their posts says something about their confidence in their own arguments.