Secretary of State John Kerry has issued an ultimatum to Russia today, insisting they have until Monday to “reverse course” and abandon Crimea. The Crimean peninsula is holding a referendum on Sunday, in which it is expected to vote to join the Russian Federation.
Kerry said if Russia refuses to give in to US demands they could expect a “very serious series of steps” against them, including major economic sanctions, which US officials say could do serious harm to Russia’s economy.
The Obama Administration has been trying to coax significant Russian trading partners, of which the US is not, into agreeing to impose major sanctions that would harm their trade.
The US demands include Russia forcing Crimea to cancel the referendum and withdrawing all of its troops from the peninsula. Under treaty with the Ukraine, Russia is allowed to keep up to 25,000 troops in the Crimea.
ooh. the rough tough cream puff Kerry ! be afraid. be very afraid….ha ha.
'til Monday, eh? Then what? This?
Very apt. And in fact it seems like, yes. Where's Major Kong… indeed.
"one issue of prophylactics…"
Just in case the GPS acts up and they wind up in Kosovo or Tel Aviv…
"The US demands include Russia forcing Crimea to cancel the referendum"
And Russia is supposed to this the DAY AFTER the referendum??? What is Kerry The Ketchup Queen smoking?
Here is what is going to happen: Crimea will join the RF. Shortly afterwards the eastern HALF of Ukraine will follow suit. Shortly after that Odessa will also join RF. That leaves Ukraine land-locked, deprived of industrial and agricultural base and functionally useless to the EU. Then sensible Ukrainians – NOT the pscho-fascist-Nazi currently in place posing as a "government" – will also see the light and join Russia as well.
The whole process should take about 6 months.
Glory to Vladimir Vladimirovich!
The Crimea first became a part of Russia before George Washington was President. If Putin asked the US to give up Massachusetts or face sanctions, it would make about as much sense. I really do expect to hear this nutter start talking about the Purity of Essence and his essential fluids next.
If Putin asked the United States to give up Massachusetts, I'd have to agree.
"Under treaty with the Ukraine, Russia is allowed to keep up to 25,000 troops in the Crimea."
And the elected president requested reinforcements from Russia, anyway.
I love how even when the US is literally, intentionally backing neo-Nazis, they still refer to the other side, which is opposing the Nazis, as Hitler. So priceless.
US has until Monday to get lost from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Somali, Palestine, Mali, Ukraine, Georgina, Tajikistan, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Sudan, Congo, Africa, Philipine, Japan, Germany, and anot her 100 countries. Has Kerry lost his brain?
You forget the Kosovo-Bondsteel base and rest of former Yugoslavia
I agree , Just look what is going on in the middle east after the us and the uk have managed to change the regimes in that area, just to protect their interest in the region.
basically the world is a safer place without the interference from the west.
Putti is not going to back off and loose his face.
Please alphabetize the list next time. LOL!!
argue that Moscow is orchestrating the referendum and waging an intimidation campaign with thousands of Russian troops
Notice they're not e.g. insisting on observing the vote to ensure if it's 'fair.' The Russians would just say yes to that, and then the insinuation would lose psychological power.
How often do you even hear of referendums in the US? The Federal Reserve argues for it's existence by saying their decisions are too important for the likes of us and suck us dry in the process.
And when it's US troops they're 'examples'-for-the-savages rather than an 'intimidation campaign.' (personally heard the 'examples' bit from a GWoT-Sucker in 2010, shortly before marines were filmed urinating on a corpse.).
And it seems they're not after a Russian "pullout," though hasn't JMSM called it an 'invasion?'
Can we get Russian observers for the next Chicago elections?
So what is the US going to do? Freeze all the U.S. assets of every Russian? Or start with its oligarchs? Or prevent Americans from communicating with Russians? Or ban travel to Russia? Or put Russia on the State Department 'terrorist list'? The U.S. could take meaningful steps to correct the mess it caused with its provocations and the putsch it planned and actively supported in Ukraine. Instead, it is playing bully with Russia and pulling out all of the propaganda stops. Just read the British papers. All of this will eventually kick back on the U.S., because it is clear that if Russia, China and the BRICS countries are to survive these types of assaults, they must set up their own currency system to weaken the dollar. It will be hardest on China, since the value of its US holdings will depreciate greatly if it does not take steps to reduce them first. Of course the US will blame someone else, and maybe we'll even invade Grenada again and the British will invade Argentina. It's all so delicious. Maybe the better choice would be to send the troops into the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and the City of London, and reclaim a few trillion from the real thieves.
I have read the zios are highly involved in this to…so the REAL axis of evil continues
US/isrhell
Certainly more so than so-called "Nazis".
How long until the Russian oligarchs start to realize that Citizens United and the wide open funding of elections means they can just buy the next President for themselves?
Um, Johnny boy, them thar Ruskies are in Crimea under a much more valid treaty than the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903 that "legitimizes" Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.
USG all ready have spent $5 billion dollars on those that chosen by USG to govern Ukraine, therefore, Johan Kerry and Victoria Nuland, among others are so eager to get IMF involved so they can get their invested money return something, even if is Neo, old or ok'd fascist. This is the nature of vulture capitalism and their hired falsified democracy.
US Officials met with the Taliban some 20X before Bush, the Cheer Leader, gave the Taliban 7days to hand over Bin Laden or he was coming in guns blazing.
13Y later another $bils failed war, 000's left dead and incapacitated and the Taliban still there having outlasted, outmaneuvered, outfoxed and outfought the US and the 'coalition of the dummies'.
One would think these guys would learn. Kerry should have more brains than Bush and he knows full well that Putin is no easy pushover and will not be swayed by his blindman's bluffs.
It should be “Ukraine” and not “The Ukraine”. Unless we start calling all countries that way then I live in “The Texas”. It’s confusing when we speak of the Russians from The Russia.
The French from The France…. see it sounds weird doesn’t it?
An error? Yes — but an understandable one. Prior to its declaration of independence and establishment of independent nationhood, "the Ukraine" was its usual English designation, as "Ukraine" merely means "borderland."
For that matter, the Tsar's official title in English was "By the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias."
“Never let a good crisis goes to waste,” according to Ron Emmanuel.
Maybe Kerry at best can scare a small island nation in the pacific with puerile threats and "ultimatums" but particularly for Russia, BRICS and most of the free world such language is a language of the weak , who just like Kerry uses language of conciliation and diplomacy when in Russia but threat's and ultimatums from a safe distance. Otherwise, if you are strong and in a position of strength, why threaten?
The US bully sneaked (another sign of weakness and desperation) into Ukraine in the shadow of the Olympic´s, just like it did in Georgia 2008 (Beijing Olympic´s). Hoping that Russia would have enough on it´s plate keeping the US/Saudi supported Chechen wahhabi freaks off the games. Russia, knowing that it just had to take some securing steps and wait for the fruit to become ripe, let Obombah and his masters believe they and their Nazi militias had a fait accompli and are now waiting out the aggressor and their local junta thugs, who obviously have no more moves to play, hence the threats.
Obombah can forget about Russia saving himself and his white masters of their stupidity this time, they had their chance but used it to take another tiresome "drang nach osten" try on Russia, the same route they all came, the Swedes, Napoleon, Habsburg and fascist Germany, only to face an highly motivated,professional, anti-fascist Russian army with all the moral and decisiveness a country can ask for. They all lost under humiliating circumstances and imploded soon afterwards and so will the US.
Speaking of dying empires bullying small island nations, see the YouTube video "Stealing a Nation, a Special Report" by John Pilger.
Ultimatum, huh? Isn't that what countries were issuing to each other just before World War I? Yes, indeed.
There is no doubt in my mind that Obama and whomever the puppeteers are that control him, are chomping on the bit to start a war with Russia. What Kerry is doing sounds like madness. Yet, I believe it is part of their maniacal plans.
It is time to remove this magalomaniacal president from the white house before the entire world goes up in a mushroom cloud.
Nice thought Amanda, but it ain't gonna happen. And even if it did, who would be in charge then? Biden? Someone else? In fact, is there any likely candidate in line that you'd trust in that position? Anyone at all? See the dilemma here?
The worst scenario for the Russians would be to die alone. So, because of the completion of the missiles in Romania, Poland and on 32 ships in the Mediterranean Sea by 2018, Russia will probably deploy Launch On Warning by 2017= ADIÓS!!! Please help make the Pentagon understand: THERE IS NO DEFENSE AGAINST LAUNCH ON WARNING !!!
As the costumed video pirate said of the FBI warning, in a segment of "Amazon Women on the Moon": "I'm SOOOOO scared!"
How many countries has the USA destroyed over the years, the CIA sticks its nose in removed elected leaders. Replaces then with right wing puppets that in some cases murder thousands.
It has been to long since the USA ran against a real country with an airforce and military. They need to be reminded from time to time they are not the only bully on the block
One nasty thing the Russians can do: no unwanted foreigners on flights to the Space Station.
Nah, they can go up. The rule will be no unwanted foreigners on flights back down from the space station.
Real intelligent of NASA retiring the Space Shuttle before its replacement, the Orion vehicle, an enlarged Apollo-type capsule, was ready. Currently, a manned version won't fly until 2021. Elon Musk of SpaceX will probably have a manned Dragon spacecraft going to ISS before then.
Russia want to hurt the hidden economy of the USA, bomb the poppy fields in Afghanistan
What would the USA say a few farmers got killed?
It would be the wake up call the USA needs right now
Well that would seriously cut into the CIA's operating budget, certainly. As for wake up calls, I think the alarm bell's been pulled off the wall and smashed. Not that it mattered as no one important was listening to it anyway… just a bunch of know-nothing citizens. Who cares what they think? They have no idea what it's like to be so busy ruling the world.
Anti War …
Anyway you could post newest at the top so you don't have to scroll down to find the latest comment?
US should have its astronauts refuse Russian transportation back from the ISS!!
That will show 'em.
How DARE they try to govern their own affairs and act in their own interest! The bloody nerve.
thats very interesting; Schroeder pulls rug from underneath Merkel's feet
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/…
Interestingly it may be the Greens Party which Merkel has to fear more than Schroeder's Socialists.
Ultimatum to John Kerry, STFU!
Kerry sounds like a cowpoke from a B western flick.
'Get out of Dodge by sunset…" Then what?
How about you have until Monday Kerry to return our 1 billion tax dollars to the the U.S., remove your illegitimate puppets who illegally overthrew the prior government and to reinstate the prior elected government of Ukraine. Unless you do that. STFU!
Even double botox injections won’t help Kerry deal with his worry wrinkles when the Russians ignore him and his infantile futile threats. Time these idiots understood that the world is a much bigger place than their GMO infected heads/brains.
Ukraine is NATO's Munich. NATO will do nothing, we all know that. Now that the neocons have unleashed the beast, Putin will probably grab all of Ukaiane. NATO will once again do nothing. Thus emboldened, Putin will then go for the Baltic republics, NATO members and EU Member States. If NATO once again does nothing, it will go the way of the League of Nations. The EU will probably then start building its own defence component, without the US.
I will save this posting of yours and will continue to compare it to what happens in the real world. I hope that you do not mind that I will make that comparison here from time-to-time.
So let them.
The Russians should be reading their Netanyahu on how to say 'no' and still get love and money from America.
Yes, Putin, you’d better watch out because Kerry will huff, and he’ll puff, and he’ll blow your house down.
The US government is delusional and Kerry is an arrogant fool.
here that russia! you got until midnight to surrender yer guns and get outta dodge or frankenstein will rampage your cities. when does kerry channel dean wormer from animal house and put russia on "double secret probation"?
Yes, even now I can hear the quickened footsteps Russian soldiers scurrying to clear everything away from Crimea by Monday. Even now Putin has asked Yanukovych to hold his hand, as they are both so terribly concerned about the scary words from Mr. Kerry. Yes, I'm sure I hear their engines starting up, and they're running home fast – frightened of the mighty threat from the big powerful West, hoping Obama doesn't know where they live.
Kerry; Get out the of the Crimea or we'll supply the Ulkrainian army with MRE's……
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052…
Victoria Nuland cookies will turn out to be the most expensive cookies in the history of US. She was out there cheering the crowds, brownshirts and blackshirts — to burn people alive with Molotov coctails, burn buildings and government archives, to burn and burn Kyev.
Now is the Pottery Rule for US role in bringing about the "walk in government" from the streets in Kyev: : You break it — you pay for it. Why would Europe or Russia have to pay for our mess?
The helpless "Yatz" being handled thru Washington visit and UN — cannot do anything without the approval of the thugs from his "government". They are already quite mad with him, and it may not suprise me if he decides to not to go back. Offer of miltary meals is not what he was hoping for. He needs some real good bodyguards.
Accoring to Lavrov, Kerry did not make one mention of the sanctions in there 6 hour pow wow today.
Carrie: get out of Crimea OR ELSE…..
Putin: Or else what?
Carrie: Or else, we will write you a letter explaining that we are very angry with you…..
Putin: …….
It's going to be a cold winter for Europe next year.
Germany has attempted twice before to 'integrate' Ukraine with the West. The first attempt happened in 1918 (1). It failed because Germany lost WW1. The second happened from about 1941 until 1944. That attempt failed because Germany lost WW2. It was both times about the Ukrainian 'bread basket' and ores.
Germany's economic 'expansionists', which have never disappeared, have realized that the two earlier attempts were made with the wrong allies. NATO and EU gave them a fresh chance and that chance they have been exploiting for several years. NATO and EU are in the hunt too. Putin has stated: "enough is enough". That and nothing else is at the root of the current so-called crisis.
Only one man other than Putin can restore sanity to this insane undertaking by ordering NATO and EU to desist and retract and be obeyed. That man is Obama who has been doing exactly the opposite until now. Is he blind on history?
(1) The German army entered Kyiv and on April 23, 1918. An economic pact between an independent Ukraine (actually an economic basket case at the mercy of Germany) and Germany was signed on April 23, 1918.
this is not Cuba, this time around the us will back off as i cannot see Vladimir putting bluffing , what on earth Kerry is talking about, he cannot be serious. does he want the world to go on fire.
This is to close to call and you cannot threaten a major power like this.
Kerry issues an ultimatum? What a blooming Asshole!
The PEOPLE of that province will decide in a referendum what direction they wish to go in. And they are not going to want to b aligned with the Neo-Nazi's that we are supporting. If Kerry thinks he can intimidate Putin, this will be really funny when Putin shows him his testicles are way the fuck bigger than Kerry's to little peanuts.
Meanwhile the U.S. maintains over 1000 U.S. Military bases in foreign countries. There are only about 205 recgonized countries in tbe world. You do the math. Ave 5 per country.
It's amazing the see the metamorphosis of John Kerry. From Viet Vet he went to protester, but then married into incredible wealth. Then the megalomania started. Now he, like the rest of the neo-cons thinks he's at the right hand of GOD and gets to dictate to the rest of the world how they SHALL act. All the while showing the huge streak of hypocrisy that has become America's trademark. American is still a great country but it's in spite of it's leaders, not because of them. If we keep electing leaders like we have, we won't be great much longer.