Russian envoy warns of right to counterattack in eastern Ukraine

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

Russia’s ambassador to the EU has said Moscow would be within its rights to launch a “counterattack” if it felt it needed to protect Russian citizens living in eastern Ukraine.

The comments in an interview with the Guardian will do little to calm fears of a major Russian assault on Ukraine, given one of the key scenarios suggested by western intelligence was Russia launching a “false-flag” operation to provide a pretext for invasion.

“We will not invade Ukraine unless we are provoked to do that,” said Vladimir Chizhov, who has represented Russia in Brussels since 2005. “If the Ukrainians launch an attack against Russia, you shouldn’t be surprised if we counterattack. Or, if they start blatantly killing Russian citizens anywhere – Donbas or wherever.”

Donbas is the region of eastern Ukraine where the Kremlin has armed and funded an insurgency since 2014. It has also, in recent years, handed out hundreds of thousands of Russian passports to residents of two so-called “people’s republics”, which are no longer controlled by Kyiv.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/14/russian-envoy-warns-of-right-to-counterattack-in-eastern-ukraine

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This was the basic excuse it used in Georgia in 2008; hand out Russian citizenship to people living in a region of a bordering country, claim they're under attack, and then use military force to take control of the area and make it 'independent', cleansing it of original inhabitants who don't agree with the change of control.

[C_U_L8R]

1. And Russian people wonder why they are pariahs.

They had a chance to join the world, but Putin and the russian mob (aka corrupt oligarchs) have driven their country into the sewer. From doped up athletes to offshore money laundering to out of control hacking to international neighbor bullying. Etc etc etc. No one trusts them. No one wants anything to do with them.

[Baked Potato]

6. Agreed, the country mirrors their leadership. Corrupt.

The Russian people deserve better governance. They can turn it around.

[OnlinePoker]

7. Except those like Germany that rely on their natural gas

Russia used Crimea as a gauge to how the international community would react to an invasion. There was an angry, but tepid response at best. Putin let Xi know a couple of weeks ago that he was going to invade and probably did a quid pro quo over a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

[captain queeg]

2. False flag attack coming

Its an old Russian trick. No one will buy it, but they'll do it anyway. Yeah, Finland attacked them, they had to retaliate. Nothing may happen, but if it does, you can bet Putin will arrange some provocation.

[IronLionZion]

3. Karens claim they have a right to all sorts of stuff

Whether it's Putin or Karen, some people confuse entitled bullying with rights.

[empedocles]

4. A set-up for Ukraine troops in Russian speaking area?

[Wicked Blue]

5. I wonder where the little green men are now

and what they are up to.

[bluestarone]

8. We KNOW how putin will do it!

Plus HE knows WE know!

[C Moon]

9. Russian leaders seem to think the whole world is gullible and can't see right through their lies. nt

"Well, that didn't work. Hmmm. Let's see. Oh I got a good idea that will make EVERYONE believe we're right about attacking Ukraine..."

[3825-87867]

10. I'm becoming concerned about American's safety living in Russia!

Shouldn't Joe be planning to "Invade Russia" to protect them?

Obviously this is sarcasm. But how would it be different?

Are sternly worded letters out?

[thucythucy]

11. The German invasion of Poland

on September 1, 1939, was called a "counterattack" by the Nazis.

Putin isn't even an original tyrant.