President Putin defends Crimean reunification with Russia.

[another_liberal]

Good morning friends! This post is coming to you under considerably more difficult circumstances than usual. I am vacationing in the enchantingly beautiful city of San Francisco, and my computer and link-up are not at all familiar. I'll do my best to respond to replies and questions you may have, but the lag time may be greater than usual.

I would like to comment on developments in the East/West standoff over Crimea. From President Putin's comments to a gathering of, "The federal assembly, including state Duma deputies, members of the federation council, regional governors and civil society representatives," this morning, it seems clear there will be no backing down from earlier positions taken by Russia:

Ukraine crisis: Putin says it would be 'betrayal' not to help Crimea - live updates.

Putin says:

"We are grateful to all those who understood our actions in Crimea. We are grateful to the people of China."

The Russian president says he wants to address the people in the US. Referring to the US declaration of independence he asks is the Crimean people’s quest for freedom not similar. He also refers to German reunification and says he hopes the Germans will support Russia in this instance as Russia supported reunification.

"We have already respected the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine ...don’t trust those who frighten you about Russia, who say that Russia will move into other regions [of Ukraine]. Crimea will never be a region of Banderas, it will be a home for all ethnic groups," the president continues, "It is a strategic authority that should be under strong and stable sovereignty, which could only be Russian today."

We are not against Nato, says Putin but we are against them being on our border. He says they are “good guys but let them come to see us rather than us visit them”. We want friendship with Ukraine, we want it to be a strong state. They are one of our leading partners ....Along with other countries, we are prepared to facilitate this process.

Addressing the people of Sevastopol, Putin says they decided the fate of Crimea and that people applaud their bravery and dignity. We will never aim a confrontation with our partners, be it in the east or in the west. The leadership of Sevastopol were guided by the genuine interests of the people in drawing up the referendum, not by political interests, says Putin. They were posed the question directly and the referendum was “open and honest”.

People clearly expressed their will. They want to be with Russia. He reels out a number of statistics. Most polls show 95% of Russians believe they should protect the interests of Russian people in Ukraine, 84% say they should do this even if it will harm relations with other countries, 83% believe Crimea is part of Russia and 94% are for Crimea joining Russia - “a very important statistic”. An absolute majority of citizens in Crimea and the Russian federation support “reunification” says the Russian president - cue thunderous applause.

Putin ends, saying: "I have no doubt of your support."

He is given a standing ovation as he walks off.

(snip)

Read more at: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/18/ukraine-crisis-putin-plan-crimea-annex-speech-russia-live

One can only conclude he means what he has been saying. As to further actions in defense of ethnic Russian populations in parts of eastern Ukraine, I doubt Russia will take any action other than that of a dipolmatic sort, unless, of course she is forced to by either the so-called "interim government" in Kiev or by free lance, right wing radicals and violent fascists like those of the "Right Sector." If such ultra-nationalists and street thugs are kept under control by others in Ukraine, I see no reason for Russia to futher intervene.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. If Ukraine was upset with Crimea, it COULD turn the power off.

As I understand it, Crimea can only generate about 20% of its own electricity.
80% of electricity comes from Ukraine.
There appears to be exactly one gas pipeline route into Crimea and it doesn't come from Russia.

If Crimea wants to be liberated from Ukraine, it has a right to lawfully do so.
and Ukraine has a right to decide if it wants to send energy to Crimea., which now should be Putin's job.
n'est–ce pas?

[another_liberal]

2. I am not an expert on Crimean energy supplies . . .

I can only assume what you say may indeed be true. However, if Ukraine can cut off three quarters of Crimea's energy, and chooses to do so, wouldn't that give Russia a perfect excuse to cut off most or all of Ukraine's natural gas supply from Russia? Then there is also the loss of payments to Ukraine from Crimea for all of that energy. Surely Ukraine just now needs all of the income she can get, from whatever source she can get it?

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Verily...there is that to consider.

And Russia does need to consider its markets to the West.

Interesting factors at play.

[another_liberal]

4. True that, very true.

One ill-considered move now could lead to a series of worse moves, and the whole World might see its apple cart overturned, economically speaking.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Just saw this:

No Reason for Concern': Energy Exec Says Ukraine Crisis Not Bad for Business
"I assume that everyone will react responsibly in the present situation as well and that the ties will remain stable."


http://www.democraticunderground.com/11334219

[another_liberal]

7. Thanks for that link.

Herr Teyssen, is doing a very good job of trying to keep speculation at a minimum and his company's stock values high, no doubt. I hope his view of the situation prevails. I, for one, do not relish the thought of a World-wide depression, especially not one brought on by an argument over the Crimea!

[Loudly]

6. Does a similar referendum in Taiwan go the PRC's way?

Doubtful, but times may be changing.

[another_liberal]

8. If I had to bet . . .

I would give such a referendum a slightly better than not chance of going China's way. Chiang Kai-shek has been dead for a very long time, and economic ties with mainland China are pretty strong already. One cautionary point, though, is Taiwan's strong military establishment. They would largely be out of a job upon reunification.

[Adrahil]

9. So basically, Russia's promise to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity was so much Bullshit.

At least we have that clear. This was the plan all along.

I'm particularly amused at Dipsy's attempt to defend the Russian "training exercises" as "previously scheduled" and "routine."

Well, this is done. No one except crazy Neocons wants war over Crimea.

Ukraine seems to be seeking stability (good on them), and we are doing the same. But we had best keep a weather eye on ole Pootie. I'm not sure he's done.

[another_liberal]

10. Only "Bullshit" if you disregrad the wishes of Crimea's people.

To disregard the wishes and desires expressed by the majority of ethnic Russians living in Crimea was, it seems, not something President Putin was prepared to do.

[Adrahil]

11. What a load of hooey.

This was the plan from the beginning. Pootie knew it and lied through his teeth to ensure he could gobble up as much as possible.

I do believe in self-determination, and back when this first kicked off, I said I think Crimea ought to be able choose it's own fate. But this was a shame from start to finish. The outcome of this was NEVER in doubt as far as Putin was concerned.

[another_liberal]

14. "This was the plan from the beginning," in your opinion, right?

Or do you have direct access to the internal planning sessions President Putin's government held regarding how to react in response to the Ukrainian crisis?

[Adrahil]

15. I have a brain, and I'm not gullible... NT

[another_liberal]

16. So I assumed.

Good for you.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

12. Azerbijian and Chechnya just called and said, "WTF?"

[another_liberal]

13. Are you supporting Al Qaeda-linked terrorist rule in Chechnya?

That is who was leading that rebellion against Russian rule, right?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

17. Are you supporting BUsh's surge in Iraq to thwart AQI?

Because that is who we were fighting.

Are you supporting Putin's sustained artillery bombardment of Grozny that killed 80,000? Because that is how he fights his wars.

[another_liberal]

22. No, I opposed the Iraq invasion from the very beginning.

I also don't support our overthrowing democratically elected governments, such as that of President Yanukovich.

BTW: My feelings about Grozny are covered in a different reply (below) on this same string.

[NuclearDem]

19. Do you support flattening entire cities because of terra terra terra?

Putin does. It's why Grozny's a crater.

God, even Bush didn't do that to Fallujah.

[another_liberal]

20. That was a horrifying battle . . .

I followed its progress closely, and remember feeling great pity for all involved, especially for the helpless civilians caught in the middle.

We in this country, however, have no moral standing from which to criticize Russian tactics, not considering what we did to Fallujah, Iraq, just a few years later.

[geek tragedy]

18. Putin doesn't care about anyone's interests but the Russian state's.

Given that he'll throw you in prison if you advocate for a Crimea-style referendum for people living inside Russia.

[Rex]

23. Oh come on now! You know he is all warm and fuzzy and furry goodness just like a

guillotine.

[geek tragedy]

24. a strong and decisive guillotine is the perfect rightwinger nt

[Rex]

21. And in other news - water is still wet.

'President' Putin!?

Riiiiiiiiiiggghhhtttt...

[another_liberal]

25. Good lord, are you ever a wit!

Hillarious, simply hillarious!

(sigh)