Secessionist sentiments continue to grow in the Crimea today, and an armed militia of unknown origins has seized two major airports, including the airport in the capital of Simferopol and the military airport in Sevastopol.
The fighters for the militia are wearing non-specific camouflage fatigues, and media reports say they have refused to identify who they are or what their agenda is, though they are presumably part of the pro-secession movement.
The Russian military denied any contacts with the fighters, terming them only “Crimean militiamen.” Troops from the Russian Naval base at Sevastopol have deployed in the area around the base as well, something they insist is in keeping with their base rental deal, and simply designed to protect the base itself from the growing chaos.
Ukraine interim government officials have blamed Russia for the protests, the militias, and everything else going on in the Crimea, terming it an “armed invasion.” As with the secessionist movements in Lviv before the regime change in Ukraine, however, the seems to be a strong sense that the Ukraine is simply too split to survive as a unified country.
Putin had all the legitimacy he needed when US/Euro supported the rebels/petrol bomb throwers/ mob rule overthrow of Yyanukovych in Kiev.
Who can blame Putin now for coming to the defense of Russians and Russian assets incl Russia's Black Sea Naval base established there in 1783.
Game set match Putin
supported the rebels/petrol bomb throwers/ mob rule overthrow of Yyanukovych in Kiev
You better start to not believe everything you read.
This is not a us-vs-them game and nothing in Putin's interest is being threatened. He should not play hardball. The easy way out is of course for Ukraine to not give a f*ck and let things chill.
armed militia of unknown origins has seized two major airports, including the airport in the capital of Simferopol and the military airport in Sevastopol
A militia of "unknown origin" seizes a military airport. Yeah, who could have the skill to do that? Woah, gee, I dunno.
The Crimea was actually given to Ukraine during the time of the Soviet Union as a reward for having been "part of Russia for hundreds of years". The current dangerous situation can be easily resolved by a decision of the new government in Kiev to return that gift to Russia. That, of course, will not happen because it would trigger another uprising in Kiev with yet another government seated. Ergo, the Crimea will revert to Russia by force.
Yanukovitch was ousted by force. Can anyone be surprised that force begets force? I am not surprised. Sadly my President has no clues. One does not berate the President of Russia like a schoolmaster berates his pupil. One understands the needs of Russia and acts accordingly. Mr. President, meet President Putin say in Geneva and hammer out an agreement on Ukraine which does take Russia's interests and needs into account. Now that is leadership, Sir.
I don't think Putin wants to split the country. He has been very open to working out a deal. Including allowing increased trade with Ukraine as long as Russia isn't kept out. The EU said our way or no deal. The EU and the US are to blame for this.
For my own personal emotional gratification I would like to see Russia (ie Putin) send a dominating force of Russian tanks and troops into Ukraine. It should be a two pronged thrust, starting with a massive lighting push to surround and "quarantine" Kiev, followed by a deployment along the "line of separation" between the Eastern and Western portions of the country. Then the Russians could hold a referendum on succession in the east, and assert the necessary stabilizing force — must protect the vital-to-Russia oil/gas pipelines that pass through Ukraine to Europe — in the west.
Beyond the ability to control the situation/transition so that it serves Russian interests, it would be exceedingly pleasant to watch Putin stick it to the US and its thug boys. In particular it would be fun to watch the various western muckamucks who planned the Ukrainian destabilization squeal and twitch in helpless frustration as Putin goes all in, calls their bluff, and takes the win.
Removing the Donbas and Kharkov from Ukraine would be utterly stupid because it would result in an overwhelmingly agricultural Ukraine which Putin certainly does not want. The Crimea is a very different kettle of fish. It is not merely the home port for the Russian Black Sea Fleet but of the Russian Mediterranean Fleet. The slightest hint by the current Junta in Kiev that Russia should butt out of Sevastopol will bring the full Russian armed forces into the Crimea. It seems to have already begun.
There is an interesting aspect to that potential takeover/occupation. President Putin has asked his parliament for approval or disapproval which he got. Our president never did that for his bombing of Libya.
With regards to "punishment" of Russia by the West, one must remember how stunned the German Generals were when their Mach 3's and 4's ran into the superior T32 tank. Or when Sputnik beat von Braun in orbit around Earth. The notion that Russia is a backward country is hilariously wrong.
The west have nothing to do than go around creating wars. This is the only thing that they are good at because they do not have answers to the economic crisis that have egulfed their nations. Warning Russia not to interfer in the Ukraine is ridiculous. The West were the ones who created this mess in the Ukraine, pumping billions of dollars and sending politicians to support some radical elements over there and now they turn around and tell Russia not to interfer. There are no words to describe the reckless behavour of our Western politicians who are running around like headless chickens.