Ukraine's strategic importance

[Camilo]

http://youtu.be/v6jHhzj08yQ (10 min. video)

Published on Feb 22, 2014

Ukraine's strategic importance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6jHhz...

For those of us who have been following the unrest in Ukraine, the last couple of days have been quite hectic. Kiev is in turmoil, Lviv has proclaimed its desire for independence, ethnic Russian separatism is rising in Crimea and the Euromaiden demonstrations have so far claimed the lives of more than a hundred people. The country is broken, falling apart and fragmenting into smaller entities, some analysts are calling Ukraine the next Yugoslavia. But what exacly is so special about this country? Why are the Europeans even in Ukraine? And what are Russia's interests in Kiev?

It has been a very busy few days for Ukraine's parliament. They just reinstated the 2004 constitution, which basicly turns Ukraine back to a parliamentary system rather than a presidential one. The parliament also appointed a new interior minister and speaker of the parliament (both which are part of the Fatherland Party, led by the recently freed Yulia Tymoshenko), and now the parliament is moving to impeach measures against former President, Viktor Yanukovych. Or should I say current president? Because even before the impeachment proces started, the parliament dismissed Yanukovych, on grounds that he was incapable of fulfilling his presidential duties. This is very dubious because technically speaking such a charge does not excist in Ukraine's constitution. Im not defending the legitimacy Yanukovych, but the parliament simply bypassed the entire impeachment proces and thus acted against their own constitution, therefore one can argue whether this was a coup or not.

[Camilo]

US-NATO War With Russia Over Ukraine

http://youtu.be/BQx9POGEMjA (6min. video)

Published on Feb 12, 2014
The strategic significance of Ukraine today is that the crisis there threatens to become the trigger for the onset of a thermonuclear confrontation between Russia and the United States. Lyndon LaRouche warned on February 3 that as long as the US continues its current policy direction, the world is threatened with thermonuclear war in the coming month

[Tyy1907]

I am so ****in tired of the US starting **** in the world. I mean really? They will not stop. Guaranteed they planted anarchists in these peaceful protests. I hope to God Russia does the right thing here. A no nonsense display of anti-war tactics impeccably displayed by our et brothers would sure drive a message home.

[Camilo]

Legitimacy of Ukraine’s new government

http://youtu.be/q-FYM5QkXZ8 (4.28 min. video)


It has been a very busy few days for Ukraine's parliament. They just reinstated the 2004 constitution, which basicly turns Ukraine back to a parliamentary system rather than a presidential one. The parliament also appointed a new interior minister and speaker of the parliament (both which are part of the Fatherland Party, led by the recently freed Yulia Tymoshenko), and now the parliament is moving to impeach measures against former President, Viktor Yanukovych. Or should I say current president? Because even before the impeachment proces started, the parliament dismissed Yanukovych, on grounds that he was incapable of fulfilling his presidential duties. This is very dubious because technically speaking such a charge does not excist in Ukraine's constitution. Im not defending the legitimacy Yanukovych, but the parliament simply bypassed the entire impeachment proces and thus acted against their own constitution, therefore one can argue whether this was a coup or not.

[TargeT]

UQcthWzgt6Y

What is going on in the Ukraine? Just another hapless herd of tax cattle being paid, poked and punished by the USA and USSR in yet another round of superpower hell-chess brinksmanship.

Correction From Previous Video: Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko is the former President of Ukraine. He took office on January 23, 2005, following the Orange Revolution. Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych has been President of Ukraine since February 2010.


Yup... Iran didnt work.. LETS TRY UKRAINE!

same old same old... this one seems to have caught a little traction though?

[Wind]

Now it seems that Putin is about to make his move.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/27/world/europe/russia.html

[TargeT]

this story, of course, has deep financial and possibly even cultural (ego IMO) implications:

“The reality today is that Russia supplies 31 percent of EU gas imports, 27 percent of crude oil imports, 24 percent of EU coal imports, 30 percent of total EU uranium imports, and is the EU’s third-largest supplier of electricity,” said Edward Goldberg, a professor at Baruch College and the New York University Center for Global Affairs. “In turn, the EU is not only easily Russia’s largest trading partner, but it is the market for 88 percent of Russia’s oil exports, 70 percent of its gas exports, and 50 percent of its coal exports.

Second, Russia is believed to want to limit the sway of the west in the former Soviet bloc, an area Moscow believes to be in its sphere of influence. However, Goldberg cautioned that the ties between Moscow and Kiev go much deeper than just energy and the Cold War, making the stakes for Russia much higher than for the west.

“Much more of the soul of Russia is involved in this, much note than just Putin wanting to establish Russia’s old imperial borders,” he said.

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/02/21/Russian-Ties-Ukraine-Go-Much-Deeper-Gas

[Camilo]

Washington’s Role in the Ukrainian Coup & How it May Spin Out of Control

This article and videos provide an interesting perspective on the US involvement with events in the Ukraine.

Washington may have bitten off more than it can chew in Ukraine, and there is a very real danger that the crisis could escalate into something far more serious.

http://scgnews.com/washingtons-role-in-the-ukrainian-coup-how-it-may-spin-out-of-control

[Camilo]

Ukraine's fugitive president surfaces in Moscow

Viktor Yanukovych is spotted at an opulent hotel and a five-star retreat once favored by an ex-Russian leader.

MOSCOW (AP) — Ukraine's fugitive president surfaced on Thursday in Moscow, where he was said to have been seen at an opulent five-star hotel and a Kremlin country retreat once favored by the late Boris Yeltsin.
Related Stories

Yanukovych says still president, his security 'ensured in Russia' AFP
Russia obliged to offer unloved Yanukovych sanctuary: analysts AFP
Putin meets Ukraine's Yanukovych in Sochi Associated Press
Is Putin pushing for a crackdown in Ukraine? Christian Science Monitor
Ukraine: Pro-Russia gunmen seize offices in Crimea Associated Press

Viktor Yanukovych reportedly was granted protection in Russia, but he has not received a warm reception. Although Russia still considers him the legitimate president of Ukraine, the Kremlin has treated him cautiously and portrayed him as a coward who betrayed those who stood by him.

Yanukovych made his appeal for protection in a written statement released simultaneously by two Russian state news agencies: "I have to ask Russia to ensure my personal safety from extremists," he wrote. Shortly afterward, the same agencies quoted an unidentified government official as saying that the request had been "satisfied on the territory of Russia." The ITAR-Tass and RIA Novosti news agencies often are used by the government to issue official statements.

Since he was driven out of Ukraine's capital nearly a week ago after three months of protests, Yanukovych had been on the run.

His last public appearance was Saturday in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where he declared in a video address that he was still president and would not leave the country.

The opposition leaders who suddenly found themselves in charge of the country, however, said Yanukovych then promptly tried to fly out from Donetsk, also in eastern Ukraine, but was stopped by the border service. He then showed up on the Crimean Peninsula, where Russia has a naval base, according to the acting interior minister, who said Yanukovych and his remaining loyal guards were last seen driving away in three cars early Monday.

Yanukovych arrived in Moscow early Tuesday and checked into the Hotel Ukraina, according to the reliable RBK business daily, which said the information initially came from one of Russia's wealthy businessmen and was confirmed by a government official.

By Wednesday, Yanukovych had moved to the Barvikha Sanitorium, a well-guarded compound just outside the city with a hotel, cottages and medical center run by the presidential administration's property department, the report said. The spokesman for this department, Viktor Khrekov, told The Associated Press that he had no information about this.

RBK, however, cited an unidentified official in the presidential administration as saying that he had seen Yanukovych at Barvikha and he looked haggard and had lost weight. The report, written under the bylines of respected journalists with high-level contacts in business and government circles, could not immediately be confirmed.

A security guard turned away two AP journalists on Thursday as they approached the entrance to Barvikha. The gated compound was built in Soviet times as a place where ailing government officials could rest and receive medical care. Yeltsin, Russia's first post-Soviet president, stayed there often as his health declined.

At the Hotel Ukraina, security was unusually heavy late Wednesday, with police watching from parked vehicles outside. Security guards posted at the door and throughout the opulent lobby tracked visitors and guests.
View gallery

RBK, citing the presidential administration official, said Ukraine's former prosecutor general, Viktor Pshonka, was still at the hotel and had checked into the presidential suite. On the hotel's website, the suite is described as meeting "the highest standards for security" and lists for about 340,000 rubles ($9,700) per night.

If he needs a new car, the hotel has a Rolls-Royce dealership on the ground floor.

Ukraine's acting government has warrants out for the arrests of Yankovych and Pshonka in the shooting deaths of dozens of protesters in Kiev last week.

Anatoly Kucherena, a Kremlin-connected lawyer, said Yanukovych's life was in danger in Ukraine and that Russia had no choice but to grant his request for protection, but it did not necessarily mean that he still had the Kremlin's support.

Kucherena, who spoke to the Interfax news agency, also represents Eduard Snowden, the former National Security Agency systems analyst evading U.S. espionage charges who has sought asylum in Russia, and often comments on legal issues.

President Vladimir Putin has not commented publicly on the situation in Ukraine since Yanukovych was driven out. The tone has been set by Russian state television, which has denigrated the Ukrainian leader for failing to stand up to the protesters and taking flight, betraying those who stood by him.

Dmitry Trenin of the Carnegie Moscow Center said the descriptions of Yanukovych in state media leave little doubt how he's seen by the Kremlin and Putin.

"I think he simply failed in expectations that had been placed on him at the time that Putin was giving him large amounts of financial support, of which $3 billion are in danger of being never returned to Russia," Trenin said in a conference call with journalists.

"The relationship between Putin and Yanukovych is well-known to have been a very bad one, with the Russian leader not having much respect for his Ukrainian counterpart," the political scholar said. "So I think that they will give him protection, but he is not going to be an active element in any Russian strategy vis-a-vis Ukraine in the near future.

[toad]

Russian senators vote to use stabilizing military forces on Ukrainian territory
Russia’s Federation Council has unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin’s request to use Russian military forces in Ukraine. The move is aimed to settle the turmoil in the split country.

The upper house of the Russian parliament has voted in favor of sending troops to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which would ensure peace and order in the region “until the socio-political situation in the country is stabilized.”
http://rt.com/news/russia-ukraine-approve-miltary-371/

[Camilo]

Ukraine mobilizes after Putin's 'declaration of war'

http://news.yahoo.com/putin-ready-invade-ukraine-kiev-warns-war-011805827--finance.html?vp=1

KIEV/BALACLAVA, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine mobilized for war on Sunday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared he had the right to invade, creating the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War.

"This is not a threat: this is actually the declaration of war to my country," said Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk, head of a pro-Western government that took power when Russian ally Viktor Yanukovich fled last week.

Putin obtained permission from his parliament on Saturday to use military force to protect Russian citizens in Ukraine, spurning Western pleas not intervene.

Russian forces have already bloodlessly seized Crimea - an isolated Black Sea peninsula where Moscow has a naval base. On Sunday they surrounded several small Ukrainian military outposts there and demanded the Ukrainian troops disarm. Some refused, although no shots were fired.

Russia has staged war games with 150,000 troops along the land border, but so far they have not crossed. However, pro-Russian demonstrators have marched in the east of the country and have raised Russian flags over government buildings in several cities, in what Kiev says is a move orchestrated by Moscow to justify a wider invasion.

Ukraine's security council ordered the general staff to immediately put all armed forces on highest alert, the council's secretary Andriy Parubiy announced.

The Defense Ministry was ordered to conduct a call-up of reserves - theoretically all men up to 40 in a country with universal male conscription, though Ukraine would struggle to find extra guns or uniforms for significant numbers of them.

"If President Putin wants to be the president who started the war between two neighboring and friendly countries, between Ukraine and Russia, so: he has reached this target within a few inches. We are on the brink of disaster," Yatseniuk said in televised remarks in English, appealing for Western support.

THREAT TO EASTERN UKRAINE

At Kiev's Independence Square, where anti-Yanukovich protesters had camped out for months, thousands demonstrated against Russian military action. Speakers delivered rousing orations and placards read: "Putin, hands off Ukraine!"

Oleh, an advertising executive cooking over a big open fire at the square where he has been camped for three months, said: "If there is a need to protect the nation, we will go and defend the nation.... If Putin wants to take Ukraine for himself, he will fail. We want to live freely and we will live freely."

Of potentially even greater concern than Russia's seizure of majority ethnic Russian Crimea are eastern swathes of the country, where most ethnic Ukrainians speak Russian as a native language.

Those areas saw more demonstrations on Sunday after violent protests on Saturday, and for a second day pro-Moscow demonstrators hoisted flags at government buildings and called for Russia to defend them. Kiev said Russia had sent hundreds of its citizens across the border to stage the protests.

Putin's declaration that he has the right to invade his neighbor - for which he quickly received the unanimous approval of his senate - brought the prospect of war to a country of 46 million people on the ramparts of central Europe.

"President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia's clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law," the White House said after the leaders spoke for 90 minutes on Saturday.

Ukraine has appealed for help to NATO, and directly to Britain and the United States, as co-signatories with Moscow to a 1994 accord guaranteeing Ukraine's security after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

NATO ambassadors met in Brussels to discuss their next steps. Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen accused Russia of threatening peace and security in Europe.

SYMBOLIC RESPONSE

Washington has proposed sending monitors to Ukraine under the flags of the United Nations or Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, bodies where Moscow would have a veto.

So far, the Western response has been largely symbolic. Obama and other leaders suspended plans to attend a G8 summit in Sochi, where Putin has just finished staging his $50 billion winter Olympic games. Some countries recalled ambassadors.
View gallery
Military personnel stand guard in the Crimean port …
Military personnel stand guard in the Crimean port city of Feodosiya March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas P …

"This is probably the most dangerous situation in Europe since the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968," said a Western official. "Realistically, we have to assume the Crimea is in Russian hands. The challenge now is to deter Russia from taking over the Russian-speaking east of Ukraine."

Ukraine's tiny armed forces would be no match against the might of its superpower neighbor. Britain's International Institute of Strategic Studies estimates Kiev has fewer than 130,000 troops under arms, with planes barely ready to fly and few spare parts for a single submarine.

Russia, by contrast, has spent billions under Putin to upgrade and modernize the capabilities of forces that were dilapidated after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Moscow's special units are now seen as equals of the best in the world.

In Crimea, Ukraine's tiny contingent made no attempt to oppose the Russians, who bore no insignia on their uniforms but drove vehicles with Russian plates and seized government buildings, airports and other locations in the past three days. Kiev said its troops were encircled at least three places.

Igor Mamchev, a Ukrainian navy colonel at a small base near the regional capital Simferopol, told Ukraine's Channel 5 television a truckload of Russian troops had arrived at his checkpoint and told his forces to lay down their arms.
View gallery
People mourn at a make-shift memorial for those killed …
People mourn at a make-shift memorial for those killed in recent violence at Independence Square in …

"I replied that, as I am a member of the armed forces of Ukraine, under orders of the Ukrainian navy, there could be no discussion of disarmament. In case of any attempt to enter the military base, we will use all means, up to lethal force.

"We are military people, who have given our oath to the people of Ukraine and will carry out our duty until the end."

Dmytro Delyatytskiy, commander of Ukrainian marines barricaded into a base in the Crimean port of Feodosia, told the same television station by telephone he had refused a Russian demand that his troops give up weapons by 10 a.m.

"We have orders," he said. "We are preparing our defenses."

Elsewhere on the occupied peninsula, the Russian forces appeared to be assuming a lower profile on Sunday after the pro-Moscow Crimean leader announced overnight that the situation was now "normalized". Russians had vanished from outside a small Ukrainian guard post in the port of Balaclava that they had surrounded with armored vehicles on Saturday.
View gallery
People hold portraits of people killed in recent violence …
People hold portraits of people killed in recent violence as they attend a rally at Independence Squ …

A barricade in front of the Crimean regional parliament had been dismantled. A single armored vehicle with two soldiers drove through the main square, where people snapped photos.

Putin's justification - the need to protect Russian citizens - was the same as he used to launch a 2008 invasion of Georgia, where Russian forces seized two breakaway regions.

In Russia, state controlled media portray Yanukovich's removal as a coup by dangerous extremists funded by the West and there has been little sign of dissent with that line.

Putin told Obama "there are real threats to the life and health of Russian citizens and compatriots on Ukrainian territory", according to the Kremlin's readout of the phone call. Moscow reserved the right to intervene on behalf of Russian speakers anywhere they were threatened, Putin added.

So far there has been no sign of Russian military action outside Crimea, but Kiev officials accused Moscow of being behind the pattern of violent protests in eastern cities.
View gallery
Military personnel stand guard in the Crimean port …
Military personnel stand guard in the Crimean port city of Feodosiya March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas P …

Pro-Moscow demonstrators flew Russian flags on Saturday and Sunday at government buildings in cities including Kharkiv, Donetsk, Odessa and Dnipropetrovsk. In places they clashed with anti-Russian protesters and guards defending the buildings.

Ukrainian parliamentarian Hrygory Nemyriya, a spokesman to foreign journalists for the new authorities, said the pro-Moscow marchers were sent from Russia.

The worst violence took place in Kharkiv, where scores of people were hurt on Saturday when thousands of pro-Russian activists, some brandishing axe handles and chains, stormed the regional government and fought pitched battles with a smaller number of supporters of Ukraine's new authorities.

In Donetsk, Yanukovich's home city, the local government building was flying the Russian flag for the second day on Sunday. The local authorities have called for a referendum on the region's status, a move Kiev says is illegal. A pro-Russian "self-defense" unit held a second day of mass protests, attracting about 1,000 demonstrators carrying Russian flags.

Ludmila Petrova, 35, described the new authorities in Kiev as "slaves of the European Union" and said she favored Putin's declaration of the right to intervene.

"Maybe this will stop the hotheads in Kiev from bringing war to the Don basin and the Crimea. Maybe now they will think there is someone willing to defend these people."

[GlassSteagallfan]

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts summarizes the situation in Ukraine. An excellent interview for those who do not fully understand the dynamics behind the Ukraine uprising - or the idiocracy in Washington.

The scroll down to the mp3 link on the left side of the page:

http://www.kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/Broadcast/Entries/2014/3/1_Dr._Paul_Craig_Roberts.html

[Bartek]

Russian senators vote to use stabilizing military forces on Ukrainian territory
Russia’s Federation Council has unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin’s request to use Russian military forces in Ukraine. The move is aimed to settle the turmoil in the split country.

The upper house of the Russian parliament has voted in favor of sending troops to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which would ensure peace and order in the region “until the socio-political situation in the country is stabilized.”
http://rt.com/news/russia-ukraine-approve-miltary-371/

You've got to be kidding quoting Russia Today as a reliable source. This whole site & TV is just Kremlin's propaganda.


I am so ****in tired of the US starting **** in the world. I mean really? They will not stop. Guaranteed they planted anarchists in these peaceful protests. I hope to God Russia does the right thing here. A no nonsense display of anti-war tactics impeccably displayed by our et brothers would sure drive a message home.

Seriously? Blaming US? Are US troops on Crimea at the moment? OMG.

You guys really need to do some fact checking:

Czechoslovakia 1968 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Pact_invasion_of_Czechoslovakia)
Afghanistan 1979 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_war_in_Afghanistan)
Georgia 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Georgian_War)
Ukraine 2014

Find a pattern.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhuqFEwCMAAl0j4.jpg

[Operator]

Russian senators vote to use stabilizing military forces on Ukrainian territory
Russia’s Federation Council has unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin’s request to use Russian military forces in Ukraine. The move is aimed to settle the turmoil in the split country.

The upper house of the Russian parliament has voted in favor of sending troops to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which would ensure peace and order in the region “until the socio-political situation in the country is stabilized.”
http://rt.com/news/russia-ukraine-approve-miltary-371/

You've got to be kidding quoting Russia Today as a reliable source. This whole site & TV is just Kremlin's propaganda.


I am so ****in tired of the US starting **** in the world. I mean really? They will not stop. Guaranteed they planted anarchists in these peaceful protests. I hope to God Russia does the right thing here. A no nonsense display of anti-war tactics impeccably displayed by our et brothers would sure drive a message home.

Seriously? Blaming US? Are US troops on Crimea at the moment? OMG.

You guys really need to do some fact checking:

Czechoslovakia 1968 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Pact_invasion_of_Czechoslovakia)
Afghanistan 1979 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_war_in_Afghanistan)
Georgia 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Georgian_War)
Ukraine 2014

Find a pattern.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhuqFEwCMAAl0j4.jpg

Did you listen to Dr. Paul Craig Roberts in the previous post of GlassSteagallfan? I think that he was addressing
some serious issues there that sound pretty much as the truth to me.

Everything is subject to interpretation of course. I would like to hear what others think about it.

[Etherios]

...

Bartek ... i guess youa re a bit emotional and dont see things clearly.

Ukraine is just an area they dont care about them ... US/EU wanted to put their own people in the Government. It started long ago ... and they finally succeeded. So the response from Russia is all cause of the US/EU starting this ...

Both sides are wrong and the Ukraine people (alongside the rest of us) will pay the price. But to blame Russia for this is not 100% right and its just a programming issue "US good guys - Russia Bad guys" ... please try to get out of that programming.

[Operator]

...

Bartek ... i guess youa re a bit emotional and dont see things clearly.

Ukraine is just an area they dont care about them ... US/EU wanted to put their own people in the Government. It started long ago ... and they finally succeeded. So the response from Russia is all cause of the US/EU starting this ...

Both sides are wrong and the Ukraine people (alongside the rest of us) will pay the price. But to blame Russia for this is not 100% right and its just a programming issue "US good guys - Russia Bad guys" ... please try to get out of that programming.

Although facts need to be checked Dr. Paul Craig Roberts said (amongst other things):
- The guys who took over power now are a 3rd party, nationalists, not the ones they (US and EU?) wanted take over.
- Parts of the Ukraine used to belong to Russia, Chroestjev brought them 'into' the Ukraine.

If true, this will perhaps change the view (become more accurate) we have on the current situation.

[Etherios]

...

Bartek ... i guess youa re a bit emotional and dont see things clearly.

Ukraine is just an area they dont care about them ... US/EU wanted to put their own people in the Government. It started long ago ... and they finally succeeded. So the response from Russia is all cause of the US/EU starting this ...

Both sides are wrong and the Ukraine people (alongside the rest of us) will pay the price. But to blame Russia for this is not 100% right and its just a programming issue "US good guys - Russia Bad guys" ... please try to get out of that programming.

Although facts need to be checked Dr. Paul Craig Roberts said (amongst other things):
- The guys who took over power now are a 3rd party, nationalists, not the ones they (US and EU?) wanted take over.
- Parts of the Ukraine used to belong to Russia, Chroestjev brought them 'into' the Ukraine.

If true, this will perhaps change the view (become more accurate) we have on the current situation.

well yes ... we still cant really tell ... but nothing is obvious atm. Everyside wants to to benefit from this ... I just hope they mess the Elite plans. If we break the Problem/Reaction/solution scenario they made ... maybe we can avoid the worst that they want.

[Operator]

well yes ... we still cant really tell ... but nothing is obvious atm. Everyside wants to to benefit from this ... I just hope they mess the Elite plans. If we break the Problem/Reaction/solution scenario they made ... maybe we can avoid the worst that they want.

Well if we understand more precisely what the Problem really is there might be a better defined Reaction or perhaps no Reaction at all ...
And if what Dr. Paul Craig Roberts said is correct than yes, the elites messed up the situation themselves ... so probably no ordo ab chao
But there is always the danger of 'scorched earth tactics' ... more chaos out of this chaos. And in the end the average people will be the victims.
So let's massively put our best intention to this and let their mishap be the cause of their exposure and keep the civilians over there safe.

[Bartek]

...

Bartek ... i guess youa re a bit emotional and dont see things clearly.

Ukraine is just an area they dont care about them ... US/EU wanted to put their own people in the Government. It started long ago ... and they finally succeeded. So the response from Russia is all cause of the US/EU starting this ...

Both sides are wrong and the Ukraine people (alongside the rest of us) will pay the price. But to blame Russia for this is not 100% right and its just a programming issue "US good guys - Russia Bad guys" ... please try to get out of that programming.

Yeah, sure I am emotional because I am living in a country that kinda has a first hand perspective on Russia since hundreds of years - wouldn't you agree? Can't really argue with history. But I don't think my judgement is somehow clouded. Don't get me wrong - I fully understand that there had to be intelligence forces from each major power in the UA since and before all of this started. But really, there is only one foreign military force in plain sight there, and we all know from where.

Putin's reasoning is without any merit - show me please any confirmed report of some sort deadly attacks on Russian citizens or ethnic groups in Crimea. On the other hand you have dozens of snipers' victims in Kiev - killed methodically, with aimed head or heart shot. Statements from medical personnel are freely available, mentioning Dragunov rifles. Am I to believe that these were EU/US snipers shooting to innocent people? We've been through something similar. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacification_of_Wujek)

Today I hear that Russian national TV won't even transmit the Oscars gala - why do they fear what people there can say if their actions are truly legitimate and, heh, defensive, as they claim?

Oh and just to be really, really clear - no, I am not an EU or US fanboy. There are things that truly annoy me - about the EU, as well as about the US. But my main issue here are real troops from Russia invading Ukrainian territory. I can't understand how can you justify this.

Oh and one more thing. You said: US/EU wanted to put their own people in the Government - well then, it seems that Poland since 1989 is also in the hands of US/EU people... No offense, but do you get how ridiculous this sounds? Let me remind you that Solidarity was funded from the West, got broad support. Does it mean we should bend to Soviets back then? Because we got help from the West? Seriously? Why then should Ukraine now? How can you justify Russian troops there?

[Bill Ryan]

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts summarizes the situation in Ukraine. An excellent interview for those who do not fully understand the dynamics behind the Ukraine uprising - or the idiocracy in Washington.

The scroll down to the mp3 link on the left side of the page:

http://www.kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/Broadcast/Entries/2014/3/1_Dr._Paul_Craig_Roberts.html

Mod hat on: a tiny offer of assistance: :)

http://projectavalon.net/Paul_Craig_Roberts_MP3_link.gif

[Hervé]

Newly sworn in head of Ukrainian Navy defects one day later, forms new Navy for Crimea (http://rt.com/news/navy-chief-ukraine-crimea-485/)

RT (http://rt.com/news/navy-chief-ukraine-crimea-485/) Sun, 02 Mar 2014 19:32 CST




http://www.sott.net/image/image/s8/173446/large/6_si.jpg (http://www.sott.net/image/image/s8/173446/full/6_si.jpg)


© RT Denis Berezovsky


Rear admiral Denis Berezovsky, appointed as head of Ukraine's Navy forces just two days ago, has sworn allegiance to the people of Crimea. Taking his oath, regional Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov announced creating Crimea's Navy.

"I, Berezovsky Denis, swear allegiance to the Crimean people and pledge to protect it, as required by the [army] regulations. I swear to take orders of Crimea and Sevastopol's Supreme Commander," Berezovsky said as seen in video footage.

The region's Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov announced the creation of Crimea's Navy forces and appointed Berezovsky its head.

"The Republic will have its own navy, which will be commanded by rear admiral Berezovsky," Aksyonov told the journalists Sunday.

"Subsequently, this day will be considered the birthday of the naval forces of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea," he added.

"All Navy troops dislocated in Sevastopol are ordered to disregard any commands coming from Ukraine's new self-proclaimed authorities," the PM also declared. "Do not take any orders of using arms till my personal instructions."

Aksyonov promised that "all soldiers, who'll swear allegiance to the Crimean people, will retain their allowance, health and social benefits, military rank and position."

As for those, who wouldn't want to join the Crimean navy, they have the full right "to retire" and "won't be prosecuted" afterwards, the PM stressed.

Berezovsky was appointed Ukraine's Navy chief on February 28, but following Sunday developments the country's Security Council dismissed him and launched a case for "treason" and for surrendering his headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

"The prosecutor's office has opened a criminal case against Denis Berezovsky under statute 111: state treason," said Viktoria Syumar, deputy secretary of the Security Council. Another admiral, Sergey Hayduk, was placed in charge of the navy.

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian armed forces dispatched to Crimea were said to have switched to the side of local authorities.

"Today the majority of the Ukrainian armed forces deployed in Crimea passed to the side of the authorities of the Crimean autonomous region. The transition was absolutely peaceful, without a single shot fired either by the military or by the forces of self-defense," a source told RIA Novosti news agency.

A Russian media report on Saturday also claimed (http://rt.com/news/ukraine-navy-flaghsip-protest-389/) that Ukraine's Navy flagship, the Hetman Sahaidachny frigate has refused to follow orders from Kiev, came over to Russia's side and was returning home from the Gulf of Aden flying the Russian naval flag.

Crimeans began protesting after the new self-imposed government in Kiev introduced a law abolishing the use of other languages for official documents in Ukraine. More than half the Crimean population are Russian and use only this language for their communication. The residents have announced they are going to hold a referendum on March 30 to determine the fate of the Ukrainian autonomous region.



hYQvVqBZSsI



See also this post (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?68956-Russian-and-American-Military-Troops-Engaging-in-the-Ukraine-Right-Now--&p=803703&viewfull=1#post803703) (<----) and following.

[Bill Ryan]

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts summarizes the situation in Ukraine. An excellent interview for those who do not fully understand the dynamics behind the Ukraine uprising - or the idiocracy in Washington.

The scroll down to the mp3 link on the left side of the page:

http://www.kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/Broadcast/Entries/2014/3/1_Dr._Paul_Craig_Roberts.html

Mod hat on: a tiny offer of assistance: :)

http://projectavalon.net/Paul_Craig_Roberts_MP3_link.gif

:bump:

Bumping this excellent interview, which I've now listened to. Offers a very clear picture of the background to all this, and what might happen next.

[Frederick Jackson]

“Much more of the soul of Russia is involved in this, much [more] than just Putin wanting to establish Russia’s old imperial borders,”

Good point. Yes, let us not forget that before the rise of Muscovy there was Kievan Rus. Complex and beyond my ken as an outsider (even though I have read a little Russian history) is the relationship between Ukraine and Russia. Certainly chasms of bad blood. (Remember Nikita Khruschev's moniker, "The Butcher of the Ukraine"?). But also deep connections going back some 1200 years.

[Roisin]

Imagine if Israel sent in their troops to take over all of the land occupied by the Palestinians. It's the same thing here where Russia is taking over land that's part of the Ukraine. If the Russians in Crimea love Russia so much, they should move back there then. Russia's population density has been decreasing significantly for many years now and they even have to hire foreigners for their workforce because there are not enough Russians available to fill their current job openings so there's plenty of room for them.

Crimea belongs to the Ukraine.. just like State of Ohio belongs to the US. No difference.

[MargueriteBee]

It really is 1984.

[Roisin]

The US has enough of its own problems without getting involved in somebody else's. Let the Ukraine's work this out by themselves. I'm with Ron Paul on this one. The US needs to stay out of the Ukraine.

[toad]

Russian senators vote to use stabilizing military forces on Ukrainian territory
Russia’s Federation Council has unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin’s request to use Russian military forces in Ukraine. The move is aimed to settle the turmoil in the split country.

The upper house of the Russian parliament has voted in favor of sending troops to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which would ensure peace and order in the region “until the socio-political situation in the country is stabilized.”
http://rt.com/news/russia-ukraine-approve-miltary-371/

You've got to be kidding quoting Russia Today as a reliable source. This whole site & TV is just Kremlin's propaganda.


I am so ****in tired of the US starting **** in the world. I mean really? They will not stop. Guaranteed they planted anarchists in these peaceful protests. I hope to God Russia does the right thing here. A no nonsense display of anti-war tactics impeccably displayed by our et brothers would sure drive a message home.

Seriously? Blaming US? Are US troops on Crimea at the moment? OMG.

You guys really need to do some fact checking:

Czechoslovakia 1968 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Pact_invasion_of_Czechoslovakia)
Afghanistan 1979 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_war_in_Afghanistan)
Georgia 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Georgian_War)
Ukraine 2014

Find a pattern.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhuqFEwCMAAl0j4.jpg

Certainly not kidding. Regardless of your opinions of the outlet, it doesnt change the stated facts from being stated.

[Corncrake]

An interesting take on the Russian mindset:

"If there’s one story you read today, make it this one, from Politico Magazine. It’s triggered by the crisis in Ukraine, but it’s been a long time coming.
The point of this short story is clear: Western leaders are waking up to the fact that Russia no longer fears or even respects them. Why? Well:
“Russia thinks the West is no longer a crusading alliance. Russia thinks the West is now all about the money.”
Quite so. More specifically,
“Putin’s henchmen know this personally. Russia’s rulers have been buying up Europe for years. They have mansions and luxury flats from London’s West End to France’s Cote d’Azure. Their children are safe at British boarding and Swiss finishing schools. And their money is squirrelled away in Austrian banks and British tax havens.
. . .
They have seen firsthand how obsequious Western aristocrats and corporate tycoons suddenly turn when their billions come into play.
. . .
they know full well it is European bankers, businessmen and lawyers who do the dirty work for them placing the proceeds of corruption in hideouts from the Dutch Antilles to the British Virgin Islands.”
Why, our very last blog, via Global Witness, was about the former Soviet Union and its dirty money parked in Britain and other shady hideouts. For an in-depth investigation of the British angle, if you haven’t already read it, see this Vanity Fair article about London. See also our narrative reports on the British Virgin Islands, the (former) Dutch Antilles and the United Kingdom.
In theory, the Politico story notes, the hoards of Russian wealth in Europe makes Moscow vulnerable. Europe could stamp its foot firmly down in money-laundering investigations and cut them off from the oceans of corruptly obtained, or outright stolen, wealth. Austria and Luxembourg, in alliance with Switzerland – and, yes, the United Kingdom – just keep sabotaging real progress. Anything like the U.S. Magnitsky Act, would be just too much to stomach for those high-society, upstanding European criminal facilitators. And we don’t want to upset our European offshore banking fraternity – especially with all that juicy, crooked Russian and ex-Soviet cash sloshing about.
The story ends with a wonderful quote:
“Europe is really run by an elite with the morality of the hedge fund: Make money at all costs and move it offshore.”
But once again, read the whole story. It’s short, and it’s worth it."

More here:


http://www.taxjustice.net/2014/03/03/russia-longer-fears-west-offshore-stupid/

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/03/russia-vladimir-putin-the-west-104134.html#.UxR05fR_sue

[Bartek]

Certainly not kidding. Regardless of your opinions of the outlet, it doesnt change the stated facts from being stated.

It's not a matter of opinion, it's a matter of common sense. If you want opinion, have a look here (https://twitter.com/sikorskiradek/status/440180880758173696) - personally, I rarely agree with this minister. But back to facts - here's an example: in 2008 RT.com stated: 13:34 GMT – At least 2,000 people were killed in Tskhinvali -Russia’s ambassador to Georgia. (http://rt.com/news/the-georgian-war-minute-by-minute-august-9/) Then few days after this, Guardian does some fact checking (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/13/georgia). Fast forward to today, Wikipedia has real numbers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Georgian_war) from Human Rights Watch, stating the total death toll on both sides to be 235.

It's just one example, but on top of that:

RT cost $30 million to establish in 2005 and $30 million for its first year of operation. About half of the network's budget came from the state and the other half from banks and companies friendly to the government. Its budget in dollars was approximately $80 million in 2007, $120 million in 2008, $380 million in 2011 and $300 million in 2012. Putin has prohibited funding for Russia Today from being reduced as of October 30, 2012. (source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT_%28TV_network%29#Budget))

Quite an investment in independent press. So forgive me, I am kind of reluctant to put any sort of trust into materials from RT, however I'd be more than happy to read some counterarguments.

[Camilo]

Americans Be Warned! Stock Up On Supplies Now Before It’s Too Late!

Can’t you feel it? Something big is coming in the Ukraine which is going to impact everyone across the planet. However, most of you will sit on your hands until it is too late as you have deluded yourself into thinking that because the conflict is half way around the world, that you are safe. Nothing could be further from the truth, and if you knew your history, you would already have begun to prepare for what is coming.

Americans of the World War II era do not need to learn this lesson of history. If Russia invades Ukraine and the US becomes militarily involved, your access to vital and basic resources could be called into question. Any one born into the “baby boom generation” and younger, has no idea what you could be facing. We are not fighting the Viet Cong or Iraq, we could be fighting a super power who has a significant reach deep inside of this country. My advice to you America is to make a significant shopping run after you are done reading this article.

Putin Has Won the First Battle of WWIII

It is now clear that the Russians are in complete control of the strategic infrastructure in Crimea. The Russians control the major roads, the government buildings, the airports, the key utilities and now there are reports surfacing that they are moving to control the distribution of food within Crimea. In short, Crimea is under Russian martial law.
The Ukraine Prepares for War with Russia

Nathan Frandino, Ukraine’s national security chief, accuses Russia of being behind the seizure of Crimea’s airports and warns against “direct aggression.” The following video speaks to the fact that Ukraine has drawn a line in the sand. Unlike, Obama, the paper tiger, the Ukraine is prepared to meet the Russian incursion into Crimea with steadfast Ukrainian aggression. The following short video is an Ukrainian declaration of war against further Russian aggression against the sovereignty of the Ukraine within the Republic of Crimea. There is no interpretation needed for the following Ukrainian declaration of war.


Can Ukraine Survive the Coming Russian Invasion?

For over a week, the Russian military has had a 150,000 man contingent “on military maneuvers” within mere miles from the Ukrainian border. Historically, military maneuvers are a precursor for a war that has gone live. Ukraine’s security council has ordered the Army to immediately put all military forces on war alert. However, Kiev’s small and poorly equipped military is no match for Russia’s incursion force into Crimea. My military sources tell me that the 150,000 Russian military force operating just off their border with Ukraine, could secure the country in less than three days unless the Russians encountered a decisive intervention from NATO. If the newly established pro-Western government of Ukraine is to survive, they will require military assistance from the West, primarily NATO and the forces of the United States in the very near future. The Russians reportedly have 7 to 10 days to close the door on any meaningful NATO intervention. In other words, if Putin is going to invade the Ukraine, it will be this week.
Without Western Support, Ukraine Could Be Facing Genocide

If the Russians move to subdue Ukraine this week before the West can respond militarily, deposed and pro-Russian Prime MinisterYanukovich could return to power. And given the brutality that Yanukovich displayed towards Ukrainians, a genocidal crackdown with Russian military support likely awaits the local citizens, particularly in Kiev where the protests were especially vehement. If the government of Ukraine were smart, they would begin to arm each and every citizen and begin to immediately coach them on how to carry out guerrilla warfare because the Ukrainian military could cease to exist in the next seven to ten days.
Options for the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet

As the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet moves towards Crimea, the Russian strategy of seizing the coastal ports and airports in Crimea now makes perfect sense. Without access to the ports and airports, American marines would find it difficult if not impossible to enter Crimea. There can be no question that the Russian Black Sea Fleet has deployed its submarines to a level where they will prevent the American navy from approaching Crimea and enacting a military intervention in support of the Ukrainian troops now trapped in Crimea. Meanwhile, if Putin acts now and invades Ukraine, it would make perfect sense. Possession, as they say, is 90% of the law. Clearly, NATO is not prepared to act in time to save Ukraine. If Russia is to attack to keep Ukraine from joining the European Union, the time is now.
Conclusion

There is no conclusion because these events are about to become very fluid. The only accurate conclusion that can be put upon this volatile situation is that if the Russians act now and they invade Ukraine, and the West does find a way to militarily respond, then Putin will have moved a long way in securing his long range goal of constructing an Eurasian empire capable of challenging the US anywhere in the world. Now I turn my attention to the title of this article, AMERICANS BE WARNED: STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! If the United States responds militarily, and the Russians retaliate, your ability to get food, heat your home, go to work and whole host of other factors will be called into question because the Russians will respond within the borders of the United States. This will be the topic of the next article on this crisis with global implications.

[Snookie]

Could you please provide a link to the article below?


Americans Be Warned! Stock Up On Supplies Now Before It’s Too Late!

Can’t you feel it? Something big is coming in the Ukraine which is going to impact everyone across the planet. However, most of you will sit on your hands until it is too late as you have deluded yourself into thinking that because the conflict is half way around the world, that you are safe. Nothing could be further from the truth, and if you knew your history, you would already have begun to prepare for what is coming.

Americans of the World War II era do not need to learn this lesson of history. If Russia invades Ukraine and the US becomes militarily involved, your access to vital and basic resources could be called into question. Any one born into the “baby boom generation” and younger, has no idea what you could be facing. We are not fighting the Viet Cong or Iraq, we could be fighting a super power who has a significant reach deep inside of this country. My advice to you America is to make a significant shopping run after you are done reading this article.

Putin Has Won the First Battle of WWIII

It is now clear that the Russians are in complete control of the strategic infrastructure in Crimea. The Russians control the major roads, the government buildings, the airports, the key utilities and now there are reports surfacing that they are moving to control the distribution of food within Crimea. In short, Crimea is under Russian martial law.
The Ukraine Prepares for War with Russia

Nathan Frandino, Ukraine’s national security chief, accuses Russia of being behind the seizure of Crimea’s airports and warns against “direct aggression.” The following video speaks to the fact that Ukraine has drawn a line in the sand. Unlike, Obama, the paper tiger, the Ukraine is prepared to meet the Russian incursion into Crimea with steadfast Ukrainian aggression. The following short video is an Ukrainian declaration of war against further Russian aggression against the sovereignty of the Ukraine within the Republic of Crimea. There is no interpretation needed for the following Ukrainian declaration of war.


Can Ukraine Survive the Coming Russian Invasion?

For over a week, the Russian military has had a 150,000 man contingent “on military maneuvers” within mere miles from the Ukrainian border. Historically, military maneuvers are a precursor for a war that has gone live. Ukraine’s security council has ordered the Army to immediately put all military forces on war alert. However, Kiev’s small and poorly equipped military is no match for Russia’s incursion force into Crimea. My military sources tell me that the 150,000 Russian military force operating just off their border with Ukraine, could secure the country in less than three days unless the Russians encountered a decisive intervention from NATO. If the newly established pro-Western government of Ukraine is to survive, they will require military assistance from the West, primarily NATO and the forces of the United States in the very near future. The Russians reportedly have 7 to 10 days to close the door on any meaningful NATO intervention. In other words, if Putin is going to invade the Ukraine, it will be this week.
Without Western Support, Ukraine Could Be Facing Genocide

If the Russians move to subdue Ukraine this week before the West can respond militarily, deposed and pro-Russian Prime MinisterYanukovich could return to power. And given the brutality that Yanukovich displayed towards Ukrainians, a genocidal crackdown with Russian military support likely awaits the local citizens, particularly in Kiev where the protests were especially vehement. If the government of Ukraine were smart, they would begin to arm each and every citizen and begin to immediately coach them on how to carry out guerrilla warfare because the Ukrainian military could cease to exist in the next seven to ten days.
Options for the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet

As the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet moves towards Crimea, the Russian strategy of seizing the coastal ports and airports in Crimea now makes perfect sense. Without access to the ports and airports, American marines would find it difficult if not impossible to enter Crimea. There can be no question that the Russian Black Sea Fleet has deployed its submarines to a level where they will prevent the American navy from approaching Crimea and enacting a military intervention in support of the Ukrainian troops now trapped in Crimea. Meanwhile, if Putin acts now and invades Ukraine, it would make perfect sense. Possession, as they say, is 90% of the law. Clearly, NATO is not prepared to act in time to save Ukraine. If Russia is to attack to keep Ukraine from joining the European Union, the time is now.
Conclusion

There is no conclusion because these events are about to become very fluid. The only accurate conclusion that can be put upon this volatile situation is that if the Russians act now and they invade Ukraine, and the West does find a way to militarily respond, then Putin will have moved a long way in securing his long range goal of constructing an Eurasian empire capable of challenging the US anywhere in the world. Now I turn my attention to the title of this article, AMERICANS BE WARNED: STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! If the United States responds militarily, and the Russians retaliate, your ability to get food, heat your home, go to work and whole host of other factors will be called into question because the Russians will respond within the borders of the United States. This will be the topic of the next article on this crisis with global implications.

[Camilo]

Could you please provide a link to the article?

Here you go....

http://beforeitsnews.com/war-and-conflict/2014/03/americans-be-warned-stock-up-on-supplies-now-before-its-too-late-2450752.html?utm_medium=verticalresponse&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fb4in.info%2FrVTP&utm_content=beforeit39snews-verticalresponse&utm_campaign=&utm_source=direct-b4in.info

[Sidney]

The US has enough of its own problems without getting involved in somebody else's. Let the Ukraine's work this out by themselves. I'm with Ron Paul on this one. The US needs to stay out of the Ukraine.

Unfortunately Ron Paul is not in charge. Americans seem to not be able to keep our hands out of others cookie jar. That said, I am in full agreement. we need to stay out of it, but there seems to already be American naval ships headed in that direction. Not exactly a spectator sport.:(

[Hervé]

Might as well post it here too:

The Nuland Eavesdrop redux: Anybody that tells you that the U.S. is not running the "revolution" from behind the scenes is blowing smoke (http://investmentwatchblog.com/obamas-strategy-of-fomenting-revolution-in-ukraine-is-backfiring-dramatically/)

Michael Snyder Investment Watch Blog (http://investmentwatchblog.com/obamas-strategy-of-fomenting-revolution-in-ukraine-is-backfiring-dramatically/) Mon, 03 Mar 2014 00:00 CST


http://www.sott.net/image/image/s8/173741/large/140206_nuland_pyatt_story_3a_3.jpg (http://www.sott.net/image/image/s8/173741/full/140206_nuland_pyatt_story_3a_3.jpg)

© NBC/Andrew Kravchenko

Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland and Ambassador Geoff Pyatt walk inside the protester's tent camp in Kiev, Ukraine, in December 2013.

When the Obama administration was plotting to overthrow the democratically-elected government of Ukraine, what in the world did they expect to happen in the aftermath? Did they just expect Russia to roll over and play dead as the U.S. and the EU installed a rabidly anti-Russian government in Kiev? Over the past few years, the U.S. government has chosen to foment violent political revolutions all over the globe. We have seen violent revolutions overthrow governments all across the Middle East and Africa, but when the U.S. government decided to do the same thing in Ukraine they went way too far. When you mess with Ukraine, and when you mess with Crimea in particular, you are crossing a huge red line as far as the Russians are concerned. By crossing that red line, the Obama administration has ensured that the relationship between the United States and Russia will never be friendly again.

If you have not listened to the conversation between Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Ambassador to the Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt that was leaked a little over a month ago on YouTube, please click on the video posted below. As Robert Wenzel (http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2014/03/an-important-second-listen-to-f-k-eu.html) recently discussed, this video is solid proof that Obama administration officials were plotting who the new leaders of Ukraine would be several weeks before a violent revolution ousted President Viktor Yanukovych from power...
During the clip, Nuland and Pyatt discuss their desired outcome for the crisis in Ukraine. Now that 3 weeks have passed since the leak and events have developed, it is instructive to listen to the recording once again. (See below.) Keep in mind that this leak was made on February 2, which means the conversation occurred before that date. Viktor Yanukovych did not lose power over the Ukrainian government until more than three weeks later February 24th.

The recording reveals Nuland and Pyatt discussing whether Vitali Klitschko, sometimes referred to as "Klitsch" in the recording, should be named the deputy prime minister and seems to assume that Arseniy Yatseniuk, sometimes referred to in the recording as "Yats," will become prime minister. Since that conversation, Yatseniuk has, indeed, become prime minister. Anybody that tells you that the US is not running the "revolution" from behind the scenes is blowing smoke. Here is the video:



MSxaa-67yGM
Thanks to the meddling of the United States and the EU, the situation in Ukraine is now a giant mess. Russian troops have moved into Crimea to protect Russian interests, and Ukraine stands on the brink of civil war.

Sadly, when Barack Obama's national security team met on Saturday to discuss the crisis in Ukraine, Obama didn't even show up (http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-skips-national-security-team-meeting-russia-ukraine_783659.html).

Obama did speak with Vladimir Putin for 90 minutes (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/world/europe/ukraine.html?hp&_r=2) on Saturday, but that didn't solve anything of course.

And with each passing day, Obama's foreign policy is looking like an even bigger joke.

Even U.S. Senators are mocking him. Just check out what U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (http://cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/sen-graham-when-obama-threatens-putin-everybodys-eyes-roll) had to say on the matter...
Every time the president goes on national television and threatens Putin or anyone like Putin, everybody's eyes roll, including mine. Conservative commentator Mark Levin was even harsher when he stated (http://beforeitsnews.com/war-and-conflict/2014/03/levin-on-obama-i-cant-think-of-anything-he-touches-that-doesnt-turn-to-crap-2450764.html) that he "can't think of anything he [Obama] touches that doesn't turn to crap!"

But of course Obama has been completely and totally clueless when it comes to Russia for a very long time.

During one of the presidential debates during the last election, Obama made the following statement (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/03/01/remember-obama-mocking-romney-over-russia-concerns-the-1980s-are-now-calling-to-ask-for-their-foreign-policy-back/) to Mitt Romney when Romney suggested that Russia is a serious threat...
The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because...the cold war's been over for 20 years. Who looks like the fool now?

And Obama especially looks foolish since his "democratic revolution" is starting to backfire dramatically. Just consider the following facts...

-It is estimated that approximately 675,000 Ukrainians (http://rt.com/news/ukrainians-leave-russia-border-452/) have fled into Russia during January and February. Why would they be going into Russia for protection if Russia is the "bad guy"?

-The head of Ukraine's navy has defected (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10669670/Ukraine-as-it-happened-Putin-says-threat-of-ultranationalists-forced-him-to-intervene.html) and is now working with the Russians.

-The flagship of the Ukrainian Navy (http://rt.com/news/ukraine-navy-flaghsip-protest-389/) has switched sides...
Ukraine's Navy flagship, the Hetman Sahaidachny frigate, has reportedly refused to follow orders from Kiev, and come over to Russia's side and is returning home after taking part in NATO operation in the Gulf of Aden flying the Russian naval flag.

There has been conflicting information on where exactly the vessel is, but a Russian senator has confirmed to Izvestia daily that the frigate defected to the Russian side. -A large number of high ranking Ukrainian military officials have switched sides (http://rt.com/news/military-commanders-sworn-allegiance-crimea-497/)...
A number of high ranking Ukrainian military and security officials in Crimea have sworn their allegiance to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, as Simferopol pushes for its autonomy from the self-imposed government in Kiev.

The head of the Security Service of Crimea Petyor Zima, Chief of Department of Internal Affairs in the Crimea Sergey Abisov, the head of Service for Emergency Situations Sergei Shakhov and acting Chief of the Border Guards of Crimea Victor Melnichenko all took an oath of allegiance to the people of Crimea. -It is being reported that many of the Ukrainian troops stationed in Crimea (http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_02/Ukraine-troops-in-Crimea-change-sides-to-back-pro-Russia-authorities-without-bloodshed-insider-1725/) have turned on the government in Kiev...
Crimea-stationed Ukrainian troops have switched sides to join forces with local pro-Russia authorities in the Russian-dominated autonomous republic of Crimea, a source in the region's administration has said.

The source has stressed the transition was peaceful and without a single shot being fired.

Some of the servicemen reportedly left their posts without prior warning, while others surrendered letters of resignation but the majority went over to the Crimean government. -The pro-Russian revolution that is sweeping Crimea is starting to spread to other regions (http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303801304579412380376851854) as well...
In the economically important eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, hundreds of pro-Russian protesters massed Saturday in the main square and took over a main government administration building, and raised the Russian flag, according to local residents and news outlets. It was unclear whether the protesters were local residents. The number of protesters was also unclear; Russian and Ukrainian media had wildly different estimates of crowd strength.

The Donetsk city council issued a statement demanding a referendum over whether the mining region with strong ties to Russia should remain part of Ukraine.

By nightfall, the area around the Donetsk main square was quiet. A reporter from Ukrainian national television said that the protesters remained inside the building, drinking tea and planning new pro-Russia protests for Monday. And this is probably what Russia is planning to do.

Instead of taking Ukraine militarily, they hope to enable a "new revolution" to swing things back their way. The following is an excerpt from an NBC News article (http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/russias-medvedev-predicts-new-revolution-new-bloodshed-n42611)...
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday that Ukraine's leaders had seized power illegally, and predicted their rule would end with "a new revolution [and] new bloodshed."

Medvedev said that, while Viktor Yanukovych had practically no authority, he remained the legitimate head of state according the constitution, adding: "If he is guilty before Ukraine - hold an impeachment procedure ... and try him."

"Everything else is lawlessness. The seizure of power," Medvedev said on his Facebook page. "And that means such order will be extremely unstable. It will end in a new revolution. New bloodshed." Of course large numbers of Russian troops will be on hand to make sure that this "counter-revolution" succeeds. Even as you read this, more Russian forces continue to pour into Crimea (http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/03/world/europe/ukraine-tensions/index.html?hpt=hp_t1)...
Meanwhile, in Crimea, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov told CNN on Monday that up to 12 trucks full of Russian troops have crossed into the eastern Crimean city of Kerch from Russia.

Additionally, Ukrainian Border Service Assistant Chief Colonel Sergei Astakhov described Russian troop movements by ferry from Russia across the Strait of Kerch in a phone conversation. Astakhov said the first two ferries carrying armed men were navigating towards the ferry dock and border post in Kerch. As the ferries approached the port, 10 heavily armed troops from the Russian Black Sea Fleet attacked the border post from land and used force to overwhelm the Ukrainian border guards, Astakhov said. The upper house of Parliament in Moscow has given President Vladimir Putin the authority to use "the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine until the normalization of the socio-political situation in that country (http://freebeacon.com/russian-upper-house-approves-use-of-troops-on-ukrainian-soil/)", and even U.S. officials are admitting that the Russian military has "complete operational control of the Crimean Peninsula" at this point.

And this may just be the beginning. Reportedly, during his 90 minute conversation with Obama on Saturday Putin hinted that Russian military intervention "could go beyond Crimea" (http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/putin-hints-he-may-not-stop-crimea)...
During his 90-minute phone conversation with President Obama on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted that Russian military intervention in Ukraine could go beyond Crimea, the region now under effectively occupied by Russia.

That's according to the Kremlin's brief account of the phone call, initiated by Obama.

"Vladimir Putin stressed that in case of any further spread of violence to Eastern Ukraine and Crimea, Russia retains the right to protect its interests and the Russian-speaking population of those areas," it said. So what is going to happen next?

Nobody knows for sure.

But without a doubt, Obama's strategy of fomenting revolution in Ukraine is backfiring dramatically.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, what's the magician's left hand doing?

[Bartek]

The US has enough of its own problems without getting involved in somebody else's. Let the Ukraine's work this out by themselves. I'm with Ron Paul on this one. The US needs to stay out of the Ukraine.

Unfortunately Ron Paul is not in charge. Americans seem to not be able to keep our hands out of others cookie jar. That said, I am in full agreement. we need to stay out of it, but there seems to already be American naval ships headed in that direction. Not exactly a spectator sport.:(

Americans (and Brits too) seem to have really short memory. Let me remind you something with this quote (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_and_Ukraine):


When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the newly independent Ukraine had on its territory what was the third largest strategic nuclear weapons arsenal in the world. It was larger than those of Britain, France, and China combined. On June 1, 1996 Ukraine became a non-nuclear nation when it sent the last of its 1,900 strategic nuclear warheads to Russia for dismantling. The first shipment of nuclear weapons from Ukraine to Russia (by train) was in March 1994. In return for giving up its nuclear weapons, Ukraine, the United States of America, Russia, and the United Kingdom signed the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, pledging to respect Ukraine territorial integrity, a pledge that was arguably broken by Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea.

[Roisin]

The US has enough of its own problems without getting involved in somebody else's. Let the Ukraine's work this out by themselves. I'm with Ron Paul on this one. The US needs to stay out of the Ukraine.

Unfortunately Ron Paul is not in charge. Americans seem to not be able to keep our hands out of others cookie jar. That said, I am in full agreement. we need to stay out of it, but there seems to already be American naval ships headed in that direction. Not exactly a spectator sport.:(

Putin needs to be put into a straightjacket and locked away somewhere. Even the president of Germany thinks Putin is not only delusional but crazy too.

Need to get an update on what's been going on but didn't know that Am. ships are on their way to the Ukraine. Thanks Sidney for that update.

[Hervé]

[...]

[...]

... Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea.

What invasion?

From which source?

All I have been able to learn so far is that most of the former "Ukrainian" forces in Crimea switched sides to come under Crimea's government and that the Russian soldiers are the ones who were already present on Crimea's soil as part of Russia's naval and other bases.

Check this "nice" photo-op: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572777/Russian-troops-fire-warning-shots-unarmed-Ukrainian-soldiers-demanded-jobs-run-airfield-Moscow-sends-naval-landing-ship-Crimea.html

[Sidney]

The US has enough of its own problems without getting involved in somebody else's. Let the Ukraine's work this out by themselves. I'm with Ron Paul on this one. The US needs to stay out of the Ukraine.

Unfortunately Ron Paul is not in charge. Americans seem to not be able to keep our hands out of others cookie jar. That said, I am in full agreement. we need to stay out of it, but there seems to already be American naval ships headed in that direction. Not exactly a spectator sport.:(

Americans (and Brits too) seem to have really short memory. Let me remind you something with this quote (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_and_Ukraine):


When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the newly independent Ukraine had on its territory what was the third largest strategic nuclear weapons arsenal in the world. It was larger than those of Britain, France, and China combined. On June 1, 1996 Ukraine became a non-nuclear nation when it sent the last of its 1,900 strategic nuclear warheads to Russia for dismantling. The first shipment of nuclear weapons from Ukraine to Russia (by train) was in March 1994. In return for giving up its nuclear weapons, Ukraine, the United States of America, Russia, and the United Kingdom signed the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, pledging to respect Ukraine territorial integrity, a pledge that was arguably broken by Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea.

Regarding the above quote, that is one jam packed paragraph full of information that I was not aware of. Thank you Bartek!!!! well....... I think i will just go:behindsofa: caz i seriously doubt that those nukes were dismantled.

[Bartek]

[...]

[...]

... Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea.

What invasion?

From which source?

All I have been able to learn so far is that most of the former "Ukrainian" forces in Crimea switched sides to come under Crimea's government and that the Russian soldiers are the ones who were already present on Crimea's soil as part of Russia's naval and other bases.

Oh come on, get real and stop reading RT.com. You have troops with unmarked uniforms speaking Russian, using vehicles with Russian registry plates and leaving food wraps with "Russian Army" all over it. Yea, I guess they really are from Mars.

[Etherios]

[...]

[...]

... Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea.

What invasion?

From which source?

All I have been able to learn so far is that most of the former "Ukrainian" forces in Crimea switched sides to come under Crimea's government and that the Russian soldiers are the ones who were already present on Crimea's soil as part of Russia's naval and other bases.

Check this "nice" photo-op: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572777/Russian-troops-fire-warning-shots-unarmed-Ukrainian-soldiers-demanded-jobs-run-airfield-Moscow-sends-naval-landing-ship-Crimea.html

Bartek is 100% focused on Bad evil Russia ... so he cant see beyond that. I wont argue ... its his opinions.

Now about the invasion ... there are reports that Putin is asking its parliament to allow moving in soldiers etc ... What people sometimes forget is that Ukraine has signed agreements about the Russian bases in Crimea and all those are being canceled by the coup Gov atm. So you have Russia right next door and you are deleting your contracts (military ones) overnight ... i am pretty sure that 99.9% of this planet would had send soldiers to protect YOUR OWN bases. Now as you said ... many Ukraines forces are changing side cause i think they can see that the coup gov is 100% bought and they dont like what they see. We dont even know what type of orders these forces got to make them move over.

So atm as i see it from the news ... you have 3 parts of Ukraine. 1 is the West part of Ukrain thats pro west and support the coup Gov. 2 is the east part of Ukraine that is divided and not much is happening atm. 3 is the south east (Crimea area) that is mostly Russia friendly and has many Russian bases. This 3rd part is atm controlled totally by Russia.

US/EU is pushing the 1st part to sell out the country (i think the biggest gas line company is being sold of cheap) and also force them to push out Russia no matter the cost.

I just hope things dont explode ...

[Limor Wolf]

Quite an investment in independent press. So forgive me, I am kind of reluctant to put any sort of trust into materials from RT, however I'd be more than happy to read some counterarguments.

This may make you happy. RT Presenter Abby Martin who is known for not being afraid to express her strong convictions on what is happening in the world has stated yesterday her own personal position on the meddling of the Russian military in Ukraine. It is a rare criticism against the Russian president Putin in a television station that is financially supported by him.

"I will not sit here and appologise or defend military agression.. what Russia is doing in Ukraine is wrong"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZolXrjGIBJs

[Etherios]

Quite an investment in independent press. So forgive me, I am kind of reluctant to put any sort of trust into materials from RT, however I'd be more than happy to read some counterarguments.

This may make you happy. RT Presenter Abby Martin who is known for not being afraid to express her strong convictions on what is happening in the world has stated yesterday her own personal position on the meddling of the Russian military in Ukraine. It is a rare criticism against the Russian president Putin in a television station that is financially supported by him.

"I will not sit here and appologise or defend military agression.. what Russia is doing in Ukraine is wrong"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZolXrjGIBJs

OFC its wrong what Russia is doing but ... i think they left them no choice. In the end i prefer this than a neo nazi army around Russian bases...

[Limor Wolf]

Quite an investment in independent press. So forgive me, I am kind of reluctant to put any sort of trust into materials from RT, however I'd be more than happy to read some counterarguments.

This may make you happy. RT Presenter Abby Martin who is known for not being afraid to express her strong convictions on what is happening in the world has stated yesterday her own personal position on the meddling of the Russian military in Ukraine. It is a rare criticism against the Russian president Putin in a television station that is financially supported by him.

"I will not sit here and appologise or defend military agression.. what Russia is doing in Ukraine is wrong"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZolXrjGIBJs

OFC its wrong what Russia is doing but ... i think they left them no choice. In the end i prefer this than a neo nazi army around Russian bases...

Taking a stand to here and there is just one of those involvments in their very old, well familiar orchastrated games of manipulation. Violence and occupation is wrong, there are no sides to that truth. As Kerry Cassidy expressed in her blog with regards to the Veteran's today recent article by Preston James which is surmising the ET faction behind these countries and this Russian move -


"Whether there is really any clear difference between the ET races backing the Russians and those backing Rothschild and Bush is unclear. The important point to remember is that the upper echelons of the pyramid rely on the left/right polarity to move their overall agenda along and that Putin plays his part well as does Bush and company. They are two wings of the same bird and in the end the objective is world dominance and control"

The main victims are the civilians. This should be stopped.

[Roisin]

I will say a prayer for this woman and the station that she works for but don't be surprised if Putin quietly shuts down that station (or has her show canceled) and sends this reporter and her bosses off to a gulag in Siberia.

[naste.de.lumina]

Insidious coincidences.

Pamphlet distributed among the 'protesters' with instructions on how to protect themselves from tear gas.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Kiev-Cairo-pamphlets-1.jpg

[onawah]

This may have some bearing on the subject as well:
http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?69102-Oldest-Pyramids-Found-Underground-in-Crimea-Real-Cause-of-Ukraine-Invasion&p=804992#post804992

[crosby]

something of important consideration.......

http://voxxi.com/2014/02/28/russia-adds-military-bases-latin-america/

crosby

[Shikasta]

I will say a prayer for this woman and the station that she works for but don't be surprised if Putin quietly shuts down that station (or has her show canceled) and sends this reporter and her bosses off to a gulag in Siberia.

Roisin, I think you'll find that RT has a TV studio in Washington DC. So I doubt that ANY of them will be going to a Siberian gulag!

However, when the SHTF, Abby might be viewing the world from within one of those 'nice' All-American 'holiday' camps we've been told for years are awaiting their first guests. Oh wait, I've seen video of them already occupied by 'illegal migrants' who, the management claim, are 'free to come and go'....yeah right! :rolleyes:

[Shikasta]

Insidious coincidences.

Pamphlet distributed among the 'protesters' with instructions on how to protect themselves from tear gas.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Kiev-Cairo-pamphlets-1.jpg

My first thought was that the flyers may have been downloaded from the internet and translated and printed for local use. So it may not be as insidious as suggested. Or am I being naive?

[naste.de.lumina]

Insidious coincidences.

Pamphlet distributed among the 'protesters' with instructions on how to protect themselves from tear gas.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Kiev-Cairo-pamphlets-1.jpg

My first thought was that the flyers may have been downloaded from the internet and translated and printed for local use. So it may not be as insidious as suggested. Or am I being naive?

An illustrated flyer that was handed out to Egyptian and Ukrainian protesters, it reads “Essential clothing and gears for violent protests”.
Source: http://www.veteranstoday.com/2014/03/04/ukraine-vs-egypt-chaos-in-progress/

[Sophocles]

Estonian foreign minister, Urmas Paet, and Catherine Ashton discuss Ukraine over the phone.

At 2.30 into the clip the estonian foreign minister, Urmas Paet, says, after having been to the streets of Ukraine and talked to people, that:

«There is no trust towards the politicians who will return now to the coalition. People from Maidan and from civil society say they know everybody who will be in the new government, all these guys has dirty past.»

He also says (around 8.25) that he was told by Olga, a doctor, that the killed demonstrators and the killed policemen both were shot by the same guns/guys.

And I just read in norwegian msm that the same Olga now denies having stated the above. In addition, she mentioned that the new ukrainian government had told her that they were investigating the matter, but that she herself had not yet been questioned.

ZEgJ0oo3OA8


This GRAPHIC video shows demonstrators being shot, and you can see how it looks like they get hit from the back and side.

The text in the clip kind of backs up what the estonian minister claimed to have been told by Olga.

YrSfPws7dCU

[Roisin]

'Russia Today' Anchor Quits On Air Over Putin 'Whitewash'

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/russia-today-anchor-quits-air-over-putin-whitewash-n45451

"An anchor with the U.S. network RT — or "Russia Today" — dramatically quit on the air Wednesday afternoon, saying the Kremlin-funded outlet "whitewashes" the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Liz Wahl, who works out of the network's Washington, D.C. offices, began her televised resignation by referencing co-worker Abby Martin, who made headlines by denouncing Russian intervention in Ukraine earlier this week.

"Indeed as a reporter on this network I face many moral and ethical challenges," Wahl said.

She said that her grandparents came to the United States during the Hungarian Revolution to escape Soviet forces, and she feels lucky to have grown up in America.

"I'm the daughter of a veteran," she continued. "My partner is a physician at a military base where he sees every day the first-hand accounts of the ultimate prices that people pay for this country.

"That is why personally I cannot be part of [a] network funded by the Russian government that whitewashes the actions of Putin," she said.

"I'm proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth. And that is why after this newscast I am resigning."

Wahl told MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell that her work was repeatedly censored and distorted and RT's mission was “to try to make America look like the bad guy and make excuses for Putin.”

“I morally, ethically feel like I cannot be part of this network and I feel like the American people should know what this network is about."

Liz Wahl: RT 'whitewashes' Putin's actions
The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell

A day before she quit, Wahl had tweeted sympathy for Martin, who was offered a posting in Crimea after she criticized Russia on the air.

Martin still has a job. RT did not respond to requests for comment from NBC News but said in a statement to Buzzfeed that Wahl was trying to become an "overnight sensation" like Martin.

"When a journalist disagrees with the editorial position of his or her organization, the usual course of action is to address those grievances with the editor, and, if they cannot be resolved, to quit like a professional," the statement said.

"But when someone makes a big public show of a personal decision, it is nothing more than a self-promotional stunt."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55izx6rbCqg

[Etherios]

i think this is all a theater to discredit RT and mess up the Ukraine situation even more. I am sure this will be top news in the US mass media.

Ofc RT is Russia "funded" but they just spin the info towards Russia ... the info is still legit. I am sure many in the US and EU are sided against Russia from the start so this will ring true to them.

We live in weird times ...


p.s. Bartek please tell us your thoughts in this also ...

[Sidney]

While all eyes are on Russia and Ukraine, what is going on elsewhere that we perhaps should be looking at. Because diversion is their middle name after all.

[Sophocles]

Vice News in Ukraine:

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QnpXASPd1h4

UGSrcYLsOMI

pFlLN9E2kcY

EdBeGwXgoqI

V9Dk2emDU0o

ffYW3nlBwZk

SKxRJ6Zqzdc

[Sophocles]

GH3HGvZlhhk

CLw1WdS8F1c

Dqp8ay87Tzc

L1v_lu6qcyk

[Wind]

I love Vice's reporting, it's certainly unbiased.

[Sophocles]

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FoZwWzYBBkc

[Sophocles]

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