Faced with a flurry of media reports scrutinizing contacts between the Trump Administration and the Russian government, President Trump continues to ratchet up rhetoric surrounding the status of the Crimean Peninsula, today claiming in a Tweet Russia had taken Crimea from Ukraine by force, and faulting Obama for not doing anything about it.
This follows up on comments from the White House yesterday, in which Press Secretary Sean Spicer claimed President Trump “expects” Russia to unconditionally return Crimea to Ukrainian control, adding that he still expects to get along with Russia.
Crimea was part of Ukraine as an “autonomous Republic” until 2014, when following protester-imposed regime change in Kiev they had a referendum to secede from Ukraine, and within a matter of days gained accession into the Russian Federation.
Russia did technically take Crimea by force, in 1783, when they annexed the Crimean Khanate. By 2014, however, Crimea’s population was majority Russian, and the secession vote was not close, though the US did not recognize it as a legal vote.
Russian Foreign Ministry officials responded to the recent Trump comments by insisting they have no intention of giving Crimea to the Ukraine, saying “we don’t give back our own territory.“
So Trump backs the Krushchevite crony communism that ceded Crimea to the Ukraine in 1954. Got it.
Trump at this point is irrelevant. Like Obama, he now serves at the pleasure of the state. The deep state.
I would not quire go that far. Many had written Trump off before. He can never be their trusted servant. He just cannot learn his place.
I’m tired of the stupid battle over semantics. Crimea never wanted to be in Ukraine and voted accordingly. It is rightfully is part of Russia IMO. The vote was only able to take place though because Russian forces surrounded Ukrainian military bases who otherwise would have stopped it. It is what it is. The Donbass people wanted the same treatment but have been crapped on by the Russian government. Donbass and some other regions in Ukraine were part of Russia far longer than even Crimea was!
In comparison, I have no doubt the Kosovars want to be independent from Serbia either, and voted accordingly, but that vote wouldn’t have been possible but for NATO’s bombing campaign and garrisoning of Kosovo.
These aren’t black and white matters and should be looked at in an adult fashion.
Unfortunately, there are no adults left in what used to be the “West” and is now the Anglo-Zionist Empire. Trump is just one example of what happens if one even thinks of being independent, Syriza in Greece is another. They get assimilated into the “Borg,” the deep state. Resistance is futile.
They gave Trump a message once they went after the delartment stores carrying his daughter fashion line. The message is — we will take apart your towers brick by brick, and block by block until nothing of Trump business remains. What will happen to guests at his hotels? Get some friendly sdvice to stay away? Whar busuness will have a conference there, a golf tournament.
I
The people of Crimea voted to become a member of the
Russian Federation, so who gives a sh*t what the USG
thinks?
To my knowledge, there hasn’t been any of the murder,
carnage, bloodletting, and destruction we have seen in
USG sponsored ‘Regime Change’ that has taken place
in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen…
Not a shot fired, no deaths, and Crimea had only been part of Ukraine for personal reasons a few decades ago. Who is the USA, who helped usher into the world the “nation” of Kosovo, full of drugs, people- and body-part smuggling and a huuuge US base, Bondsteel, to interfere?
Serbia has been completely vindicated.
No mass graves.
No ethnic cleansing other than Serbs forced out of their homes, businesses and farms by NATO all 700,000 of them.
Slobodan Milosevic now declared an innocent man.
A man probably murdered by NATO, alone in a prison cell.
It is alleged his medication had been tampered with.
Serbia should be demanding Western reparations and a return of Kosovo.The illegal attack on the christian country can be considered the worst war crime in post war Europe,
Bombed back to the stoneage. Quote General Wesley ”Waco’ Clark- the country was nigh on destroyed.
Now a narco/criminal/ islamic terrorist state – Kosovo is still Serbia.
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/356846-provoking-nuclear-war-media/
I completely agree, Emily. So few books give the true story. Diana Johnstone’s “Fools’ Crusade” is excellent, and Jean Bricmont has also written fairly. I’ll follow the link.
Just read the linked article-thanks. Pilger is another wonderful reporter- I am proud that he is Australian, as I too am an Aussie, and do not generally agree with the Australian government, but with brave people like John Pilger and Julian Assange.
Pilger is the real deal.
A real journalist and a credit to Australia.
No fake news there.
Rosemary, I totally agree with you on John Pilger. He is a tremendous asset to humanity. I don’t have many role models, but, he is certainly one of mine.
If you would like to hear John Pilger’s interview on Flashpoints with Dennis Bernstein on Nov 9, 2016, you can find it in MP3 format in Flashpoints’ archived programs at KPFA.org. It’s vintage John Pilger.
Serbia is bad, but none of the other ‘ex-Yugoslav’ republics have energed unscathed. The German banks attained what the WW2 occupatuion couldn’t. They ‘own’ everything of worth in what was Yugoslavia.
It was a very convenient, US-inspired, ‘nation-building’ exercise – and very positive ‘first outing’ for the newly-refocussed NATO.
And it has ‘primed the pump’ for a fourth round of Balkan readjustments. .
The gold mines, was it, went to Albright or one of that awful lot – didn’t they?
And German intel played a huge role in the original destabilization of Yugoslavia.
Germany repaying Croatia etc for their wartime loyalty and for their ‘work’ in Jasenovac – by independence.
I recently watched a docudrama “Sarajevo” on Netflix about how WW1 was started by the the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, that occurred on 28 June 1914 in Sarajevo, when they were shot dead by Gavrilo Princip, a Serb in the employ of German interests to build a railroad to Baghdad.
And a ‘hefty’ debt to German banks and the IMF, that they didn’t have before.
US foreign policy is — well, hard to define — a crossover between jellow journalism and a clown routine. How can anyone in the world take anything seriously from the fossilized elite, that seriously would be capable of appointing a horse to Senate and cheer its anti-Putin message. Se are the laughing stock. Other rhen the ever narrowing circle of everything Wahington followers — the rest of the world is upgrading its relationships with Russia, and in Russia itself Putin is considered the best leader in the last one hundred years. We are on a strange journey into the world of make believe.
And we rhought Wonderland does not exist.
Of course Putin egged the people of the Crimea on to vote for their return to the Russian Federation. After all the residents of the Crimea could have done the same on their own for decades but remained associated with Ukraine.
I do not blame president Putin for his egging. A forced regime change had occurred on Russia’s doorstep and this time there was the threat that the Black Sea might become a NATO lake. He was backed into a corner and came out fighting. A not-so-unexpected consequence was that Russian residents of Eastern Ukraine began to demand more autonomy.
There are reportedly “bad hombres” on both sides but that does not change the basic geopolitics.
President Trump has to accept that there is a Russian “Monroe Doctrine”. I am sure that the Chinese have one too.
Instead of changing his views on the Crimea like his dinner order every day President Trump should recall all US warships that were sent by President Obama into the Black Sea after the vote of the people of the Crimea. That would reduce that chance of another naval incident.
Russia’s naval base on the Crimea is essential to Russia. The US knew that and attempted to take it from Russia. The US bid failed but the US is not finished by a long shot.
Putin is fortunate to have been able to enlist the support of over 90% of the people of the Crimea to side with being a part of Russia.
I am disheartened to realize Trump is so misinformed. Will the US give back Okinawa, Pearl Harbor, Texas, or other land appropriated for the military? To imagine that Russia would ever give up Sevastopol and their vital warm water port is a major miscalculation. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have died defending that city against France, England, and Nazis. It is Russian people there and they will never turn it over to NATO vassals in Ukraine. Surely Trump is not that ignorant. Ignorant or deceitful? It is hard to say which is worse.
Somebody please explain to the Donald The Russian port at Sevastopol will never be given up by Russia. It is vital to their security. This no way to make peace with Russia.
Surely you must have realized that during his campaign, no?
What can I say. When your high-rise is on fire you jump out the window. Hillary and her banker clan cartel criminals were sure destruction. Nothing to lose by checking out what is behind door number two.
Hillary is gone. She was defeated by Trump and the election was fair and square.
Now it’s time to accept that Trump’s bumbling criminal behaviour can’t be blamed on anyone else.
Your damage control attempts by summoning up Hillary fall short of being believable. In fact, it’s really become obvious that Trump was a very bad mistake. So bad that now it’s hard to imagine how Hillary could have been so bad.
“Hard to imagine . . .?” Are you serious? Her and her husband are MAJOR international criminals that have been protected all these years by the deep state. Trump is not that bad, OK? He is being subverted by the powers-that-be and ANYONE would look bad to an ignorant population under these attacks. The forces that Hillary represented, the ones that want eternal wars to enrich themselves at the expense of humanity, are STILL busy trying to bring a democratically-elected President down. This is called TREASON and that is far more serious than anything Trump ever did!(or Putin for that matter!). Dumb ignorant Americans think they know everything but they are being led around like a dog on a leash of ignorance. get a life!
Hank, Hillary is rotten to the core. The only reason why I would now prefer her over Trump is because it’s become quite sensible to fear another world war. Hillary, given time could have promoted that just as wee, but at least not immediately. That’s my opinion fwiw.
No I did not realize this during the campaign . Trump is a blabber mouth and I’am assuming he will soon reverse this stupid statement about giving Crimea permanently to NATO NWO NAZIS . Kelly Anne better talk to Trump . This is a more serious stupid statement than believing Taiwan is not part of China . These two stupid statements could signal to Russia and China we intend to dismember them like we did Yugoslavia . I think they will resist this idea . Who fires the first shot is not always the most guilty party . Sometimes it is who comes up with the most diabolical plan on how to rule the world . Russia and China believe they are under a steady planned attack by the NWO .
Trump can’t change his mind on the Crimea you idiot. It’s now the only talking point he has that is common to the US agenda.
The only thing good about your stupidity is that it gives me another opportunity to drive the truth home to the patsies who still believe in Trump’s bullshit campaign promises on Russia.
Has he admitted that Putin is a killer, yet?
Does it matter? Is Trump now going to claim that he made an attempt to do something about improving relations with Russia, but is now disappointed in Putin not being receptive to his offer?
Is that how it’s all going to end? Will that be acceptable to his supporters?
I’m going to predict that it’s going to be pretty close to that. It’s my opinion that there was never any sincerity in Trump’s words concerning relations with Russia and that tells us that he will extricate himself soon from a very damaging issue. Frankly, the whole issue is killing him.
Your opinion?
Putin remains well-removed from much of this – aside from the unsubstantiated reports of what he’s thinking or how he’s feeling.
There is no need for your constant crude comments . Perhaps Donald is a better title for you.
He’s a stupid little man and he deserves it. Anybody who still believes in Trump deserves to too because they are ignorant and unthinking schlunks!
You might be better advised to pay attention. It is not about what Trump tried to do — but it is about the Deep State, stupid. THIS is what you need to be concerned about. If you are a flaming neocon — by all means enjoy your victory. The Swamp Struck Back. But I doubt that Flynn was the only wizard that has a view of the rabbit hole of secret, mostly privatized spooks.
So, enjoy your victory. The losers are American people. But we need to see just where the warriors of fossilized sysrem are.comming from. They may be mighty, but clearly not too intelligent. If they had real smarts they should allow thevtransition and the first 100 days run its course. The way ghe establishment handled the process exposed them — down to inner workings. Trump has few of his own aces up his sleeve.
I’m surprised Bianca! I didn’t think you especially would get into the counterspin to save Trump’s ass so soon. I expected at least until tomorrow. And yes Bianca, I was right.
But it was never a gamble inasmuch as I could have ever held out hope that Trump was being honest. And so, with my victory comes no glee or sadness. I just never expected anything better.
But I do share your thoughts on the American people being the losers. Just understand that the Canadian people are losers too now because the cold war is upon us and we will feel the fallout at the same time as your people feel it. Or bloody soon after. Assuming the worst which is totally possible with Trump.
On the ‘bright’ side!! Now we can agree on so much as pertains to our antiwar agenda once again!
Look at it this way . . . Trump has been friendly towards Putin and I feel he is sincere in this relationship. Who knows what is going on behind closed doors for Trump to make these VERY INCORRECT statements regarding Crimea/Russia. If the media was REALLY doing its job it would tell Americans just how a democratically-elected President of the Ukraine was overthrown by a US-funded coup and replaced by a virtual Nazi, who proceeded to wage genocide on the people of Crimea. Russia should be praised for their VERY measured response to all this, not lied about “taking” Crimea. The USA spends more time subverting democratic leaders around the world than they take care of their own people! The criminal clique that ties to run the USA behind closed doors for their own personal gains should be indicted and convicted of treason by trying to deny the American people their chosen candidate, which, BTW, is exactly what happened in the Ukraine, courtesy of the good ‘ol USA!
1000 ticks.
Tom, I couldn’t agree with you more. Trump has, indeed, been friendly toward Putin and I, too, feel he’s sincere in this relationship. Who knows what’s going on behind closed doors for Trump to make these OUTRIGHT WRONG statements re Crimea/Russia? In my opinion, it’s the Zionist neocons behind the scenes who’ve pressured The Donald to make those untrue statements. If the media was truly doing its job, it would tell Americans just how a democratically-elected President of Ukraine was ousted by a US-funded coup and replaced by a virtual Nazi, who proceeded to wage genocide on the people of Crimea. I agree that Russia should be praised for its VERY measured response to all this, not lied about “taking” Crimea. Truth is, right after the shelling of a bus loaded with Crimean citizens that killed/injured many, the angry Crimeans set up a referendum wherein 97% of the electorate voted in favor of rejoining Russia, to prevent a repeat of the heinous crime.
The truth is out. The US spends more time subverting democratic govts. around the world than they take care of their own people. The criminal clique that tries to run the US behind closed doors for their own personal gains must be indicted and convicted of high treason by trying to deny the American people their chosen candidate which, BTW, is exactly what happened in Ukraine, courtesy of the good ‘ol US!
Since TRUTH is the main ingredient to any type of justice rendered, the USA will NEVER be a just nation as long as the government runs its policies around PROVEN LIES! Where is the Congress in representing the interests of the USA? It is unconstitutional for the executive branch to wage wars without Congressional approval. I blame Co0ngress more than any other group for allowing US wars of aggression to continue!
Russia will not give away Crimea; it’s a territory of the Russian Federation. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said so very plainly without any need to explain itself. Everybody in Washington knows what happened in Ukraine, even Trump. If this is a way for him to open in trying to ‘make a deal’ with Putin, all he will get is a polite version of “idi v zhopu!” (“go f**k yourself!”)
there’s little doubt that Trump will spin the complete failure of living up to his words on Russia in that way.
It’s just that some of us long ago knew it was only bluffing and campaign promises to attract a few antiwar people for votes.
But good for you! You’re one of the first to begin the damage control counterspin for Trump on the issue. Make sure to tell Raimondo too!
The USA,like Israel, is not interested in peace but in domination.
And yet another affirmation straight out of Trump’s mouth that he has no real intentions of improving relations with Russia.
Although it’s noticable now that his deception is being picked up by some on the right as part of his political maneuvering.
Russia isn’t going to ever give up the Crimea and for that reason is very hard to understand why Trump would continue to dwell upon it.
And also, those who understand that Russia can never give up Crimea must know that it’s nothing more than cheap political pandering to Americans. Others such as those who frequent this site can’t still be fooled. Especially Raimondo and now perhaps even our Thomas?
I knew he was in touble when he mouthed the bit with ‘Russia’ and ‘friend’ in the same sentence. ‘Real’ Americans are frightened that Putin, or Russia, or Venezuela – or Iran, Syria, China, the Norks or the EU could screw-up their plan for Armageddon and the ‘end of days’.
Right. I only wish you would give up on the Armageddon thing. Even though a world war 3 may be near what you envision, it would come far short of equalling that. Life will continue on this planet in likely millions of lifeforms that survive. Even some human will likely survive.
God said it won’t, as so many Americans – particularly in the new administration – believe.
Lucy Steigerwald has written a ‘MAYBE’ article on Trump. I’m wondering if that’s a lack of commitment on her part to condemn Trump outright and completely?
or
Is it a safe commitment to Raimondo in order to show consistency.
I would love to ask her but I can’t post on her articles. Banned from doing so by either Raimondo or Thomas or ???
Don,
Raimondo does not — in fact, so far as I know, cannot — moderate comments or ban people from commenting. And as I have explained multiple times, I was not the one who banned you from commenting on the Antiwar.com commentary section.
Also so far as I know, Steigerwald writes what she damn well pleases.
If Steigerwald writes what she damn well pleases then it disappoints me that she could only go with a “maybe”.
But then, I would be just as disappointed if it was because she has to tread carefully with Raimondo. As you are well aware, it’s not a case of “maybe” anything with me anymore on Trump/Russia.
And also as I’ve told you, I don’t care who banned me from commenting on all the editorials. If my guesses are an issue to you then find out for me and let me know for sure. Otherwise???
If you didn’t care who banned you from commenting on the editorials, you wouldn’t speculate at least once a day as to who banned you from commenting on the editorials.
You ‘do’ notice that it was you who raised the issue again don’t you?
But fair is fair and so I admit that I baited you to do it.
You knew that was what I was doing didn’t you!
Yes, it still irks me somewhat but that’s only because nobody has the balls to take responsibility.
I can live with it though, and in fact would choose to live with it. I can complain a bit from time to time or more like, chum the waters.
Actually Thomas, I would prefer to just get along with you. We agree on a lot. And everything doesn’t have to be your idea to be a good idea now does it.
Take a shot and let’s rethink it a bit.
Don,
I was unaware that we didn’t get along. This is a comments section, not a committee where everyone has to come to agreement on everything.
Let us not falsify history to fit the neocon view of the world. Crimea was taken by force from Ottoman empire, in fact from Ottoman vassal, Tatar pseudo-state.
But the population was Slavic from the known time, even though for a “politically correct” view of the history the word “Slavic” has to appear only after the prescribed period. Before, we can only call them “some peoples of Indo-European origin”.
But, we need go that far back though in history. Suffice it to say that when Prince Vladimir accepted Christianity on Crimea in 10th century, he did it being surrounded by his people, Russians, not by Tatars or Khazars, or any other occupying ruling clans.
It was Russians who liberated Slavic Crimea from Khazar Kaganate that occupied it in 8th century. During the occupation, and all the way until the the liberation by Russia, Khazar Kaganate sold Slavic slaves to Europe, Byzantium and Middle Eastern markets. Records exists from the time of Byzantium, though Carl the Great, who issued licenses for sale of Slavic slaves. The freedom did not last long, as Mongols, and after them Tatars,.
The practice of selling Slavic slaves from Crimea continued on a massive scale under Tatars, who in wake of Mongol invasion settled in Crimea. Tatars were Slavic slave hunters, and the methods and routes were well documented. Wikipedia would do. The slave trade was massive throughout all these at least 10 centuries, and during the time of sale to Venetian and Genoa galleys — so much so, that both of these city-states opened their own outposts in Crimea to be able to chain slaves to oars, right after the purchase. Records to the numbers are scant, but Slavs were sold from Crimea to Europe, Middle East and beyond. Only one set of records exists during which over 2 million people were sold, and that covers only about 2 centuries, and not all markets. The port most known for slave trade was Feodosia. Self -defense was organized in across all Slavic lands, leading to Kozaks tradition, as well as the many songs of the tragedy of slaves.
By comparison, all the African slaves imported into Colonies and later into US, from the first ones in 17th century, till the end of slavery imports, totaled under 400,000 people.
In fact, the very word slave in German, French and English derives from the ethnicity of the slaves — Slavic. And I am talking ONLY of the sales coming from Crimea. Naturally, as the habits of all new countries goes, Ukraine is eager to claim price Vladimir as Ukrainian. Silly prince, and he thought he was Russian. But regardless of political history, the fact remains. Crimea was Slavic in the past — indo European even before, if one wants to be politically correct — but at least from the 10 century is KNOWN to be Russian. Prince Vladimir who liberated Crimea from the Khazar Kaganate, accepted Christianity there on behalf of his people. No Tatars lived in Crimea prior to the Mongol/Tatar invasion. Tatars subsequently became vassals of Ottoman empire, until Russia liberated Crimea in 18th century. The theories of Crimea being Tatar in the past, is one more of the “academic” work aiming at discrediting anything Russian.
What the hell difference does all that make. Do you somehow think it’s going to convince somebody more thoroughly that Russia has a right to Crimea?
Of course Russia does and your story has nothing to do with that fact!
So why not spend your time telling us about something that actually makes a difference. I believe you’re worthy of doing that.
Don, if it bothers you, please do not read. I was responding to the article itself, that describes Crimea as being conquered by Russia, as if some other non-Slavic population was narive there. Since rhere are MANY very informed people who do not know anything about Russia’s conversion to Christianity on Crimea, and most people know absolutely NOTHING about Slavic people being hunted snd sold all over Europe and Middle East — and even less about the very WORD slave — I am finding it well worth my time to impart this information.
Please do not assume that everything is about you. You are not the moderator, and my chosen topic is article related.
Don’t forget that Crimea is also the place where the Vladimir the Prince of Kiev, the first Russian state, was baptised. Here is the shorter version of his legendary conversion at Kherson: https://community.dur.ac.uk/a.k.harrington/christin.html