6,000 Russian troops in the Crimea
Vlad Putin went to the Russian Parliament on Saturday and asked for permission to use troops in the Ukraine, you know, as if he really needed to ask. He told the Parliament that the troops were needed to protect ethnic Russians in the Crimea. Ethnic Russians, not Russian citizens. An excuse right of the early 20th century. From the Washington Times;
“I’m submitting a request for using the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine pending the normalization of the socio-political situation in that country,” Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin.
He sent the request to the Russian legislature’s upper house, which has to approve the motion, according to the constitution.
In Crimea, the pro-Russian regional prime minister had earlier claimed control of the military and police there and asked Putin for help in keeping peace, sharpening the discord between the two Slavic neighbor countries.
It was the latest escalation following the ouster of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president last week by a protest movement aimed at turning Ukraine toward the European Union and away from Russia.
Meanwhile, the US president and his Secretary of State are getting criticism at home for their reaction to the Russian incursion into a sovereign nation;
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said the White House’s ongoing response to the entire situation only gives Mr. Putin the upper hand.
“[Putin’s] running circles around us,” Mr. Rogers said, during a “Fox News Sunday” appearance reported by the New York Post. “Putin is playing chess and I think we are playing marbles, and I don’t think it’s even close.”
He said the Obama administration ought to take strong action and boot Russia from the G8. Meanwhile, Congress could start drumming up some sanctions against Russia, he suggested, the New York Post reported.
Yeah, sanctions, that’ll do it. The time to do something about this situation has passed. Sanctions are working so well against Iran and North Korea, you know, those two fourth world nations, so let’s try them against first world Russia. Funny how an administration that has been so focused on domestic issues keeps getting the horns from foreign policy that they’ve virtually ignored since day one.
If this administration had stood up to Putin in the beginning, they might have some credibility now. They should have threaten to restart a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic when the Russians refused to turn over Ed Snowden, the NSA spy. Maybe we’ll get lucky and the Russians will kidnap John Kerry while he’s in Kiev.
Category: Barack Obama/Joe Biden, Foreign Policy
Ethnic Russians in Crimea and the Ukraine…sounds eerily familiar to the words used by the former Soviet Ally of the late 1930s when he mentioned that there were ethnic Germans in the Alslace-Lorraine and Austria and just about everywhere else he invaded….those crafty Russians, always mentioning we were allies once while forgetting they sided with Nazis until their deal with the devil fell apart….Putin might be playing chess but he’s no grand master, of course the larger problem is that Kerry and Obama are rated at less than 900 so they can’t plan past the King’s pawn to e4…
Kidnap sKerry? They don’t want him! He’s their weekly entertainment section in the news. I’ll bet they turn the sound down and say rude things that go with the way he flaps his jaws.
Has anyhone besides me noticed how much larger sKerry’s lower jaw is than it used to be?
“Has anyhone besides me noticed how much larger sKerry’s lower jaw is than it used to be?” Maybe that’s because his cranial cavity is slowly caving in?
As for kidnapping sKerry, I doubt that the Russians want to risk being bored to death.
Who would’ve guessed that we would have our very own equivalent of Baghdad Bob…
Besides, the Russkies value Kerry right where he is. Something about how “it’s easy to excel in the Special Olympics.”
I’m telling ya, folks – Russia’s desired end-state here is return of the Crimea, and possibly some other historically-Russian territories in the eastern Ukraine. Has been from day one. Our current Administration was just clueless enough for just long enough to give them the opportunity.
We need to STFU. Short of going to war, there’s not a damn thing we can do other than express disapproval. Anything else we try will end up making us look like even bigger idiots. And as I’ve said elsewhere: going to war would be such a monumentally stupid thing that even the fools in DC almost certainly won’t “go there”.
VOV: regarding the Crimea, a better historical comparison IMO would be the designs the FRG and GDR (and North and South Korea) had for reunification post-World War II. Prior to the late 1940s/early 1950s, each of those were one nation – independent in the case of Germany, occupied in the case of Korea). The formation of West Germany (de facto in 1948, de jure 1955) engendered a temporary split that took nearly 35 years to sort out. Korea’s still a flash point because of the split.
Prior to 1954, the Crimea was part of Russia. It was taken from Russia and given to the Ukraine by order of the Supreme Soviet in 1954. It never has been culturally or ethnically Ukrainian, and still isn’t today. The majority of it’s population (almost 60%) are ethnically Russian, resent Ukrainian rule, and want to become part of Russia again.
I do agree with you Hondo. Russian business in Russian territory. Not our problem to solve. If their is one to solve there at all.
Your final paragraph could describe the Sudetenland, Silesia, Danzig, and most of what is now the North shore area of Poland. Remember that all those areas were part of Germany/Prussia before WWI. Shouldn’t they be able to reclaim that territory? My family’s estate in Silesia is now part of Poland and our family lost it to Poland, even though we are Prussian/German. The logis could be used on several areas around the world and if this type of reclamation was allowed to happen all aover the world, well, there would be a big problem in many areas, including the disputed SouthWest US.
*should be logic
Old Trooper: except for Silesia (which was always primarily ethnically Polish, population-wise, if I remember correctly), all of those regions were primarily populated by those who were ethnically and culturally German prior to World War II. They aren’t today due to ethnic migration after World War II – some voluntary, but much of it forced by the Soviet and Polish governments. This migration ensured the German population left those areas – or, in some cases, simply died.
Because of that forced migration, those locations today are not populated with a majority of ethnic Germans. That is the reason there is no call for return of those territories to Germany today. The local population doesn’t support it and isn’t calling for it.
In contrast, Crimea today is nearly 60% ethnically Russian. Yet the region is today governed by people who have been a historical enemy (the Ukraine). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that such a situation is a prescription for trouble.
My intent here is not to justify what Russia has done – just to explain it from their point of view. Understanding the why behind another nation’s actions is often a good idea during times of tension.
However, I will say this: if I look at the situation objectively, based on history and population the Russians IMO have at least as good a historical claim to the Crimea as does the Ukraine – if not a better one. And I’ll guarantee you the Russians think they do as well.
If they didn’t want to be part of Ukraine, then they shouldn’t have agreed to it in their Constitution. Your logic means that we need to give the South West US back to Mexico, also (you can’t tell me they ain’t ethnically Mexican)?
Um, Old Trooper . . . actually, I can.
Among the 6 Southwestern US states (CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, TX) not a single one of them has a majority Hispanic/Latino population. NM comes the closest, but the Hispanic/Latino population there is less than 50%.
Three of the states (AZ, UT, NV) have majority Anglo populations. CA and TX have roughly the same fraction of Anglo and Hispanic/Latino residents – between 35 and 40% in each state.
And only a small minority of the Hispanic population of that region wants to separate from the US. The vast majority are loyal US citizens.
I lived there for 17+ years.
I’ve spent a little time in the area and actually can understand why Putin sent his troops in. Simferopol has the closest major airport to Yalta which is a short drive on the Black Sea where the fleet is. There are quite a few Russian’s still in the Ukraine, probably more than in other former Soviet Republics. The Ukraine government didn’t stop the protesters from burning buildings, a favorite tactic of protests in those former republics (think Bishkek where we have an air base a couple of years ago). We would probably respond the same way if Florida was a former US state aligned with Cuba. Well maybe not since given the planned defense cuts, Cuba would probably kick our ass.
Hondo, the problem with your assertion that it is okay based on 1954 borders is that in 1954 Crimea was made part of the Ukraine(again) because of their close ties to the Ukraine geographically and economically. This was affirmed once again in 1994 with pledges by the Russians to respect the sovreignity and borders of the Ukraine including the Crimea. “Crimea” by the way acknowledged their being a part of the Ukraine in their Constitution in 1991.
rb325th: don’t think so.
In 1954, the Crimea was even more ethnically Russian than it was today – probably about 75-80% (the 1959 census showed over 71%, and that was after 5 years of being ruled by the Ukraine). Prior to 1954, the Crimea had little in the way of commercial, cultural, or ethnic ties to the Ukraine. Its primary ties in each of those areas were to the Russian SSR, not the Ukrainian SSR.
The Crimea was transferred to the Ukranian SSR as part of a political deal after Stalin’s death to try and ensure Ukrainian loyalty.
The status of the Crimea was a major bone of contention between Russia and the Ukraine when the Soviet Union collapsed. In 1992, the Crimea attempted to gain its independence from the Ukraine. That attempt was not successful; however, it rather clearly shows that the Ukraine is not exactly loved by most of the Crimean population.
Since 1989, roughly 400,000 former Crimeans have “voted with their feet” and left. My guess is that the vast majority were ethnic Russians who were fed up with being second-class citizens in a region in which they were the majority.
Well Let the Europeans for once, cover their own interests in their own back yard. Some else said it well, they can afford their socialist medical system and welfare programs because they don’t think they need to spend on defense. Even a lot of their defense dollars come from us.
Of course the French have stepped up. Surprised me though that they were first to announce sanctions.
Yesterday, French President François Hollande stated in harsh terms that immediately following his announcement, France would begin exporting ONLY their MOST INFERIOR table wines to Russia.
I’m sure that B. Hussein 0bama & Company will TALK a mean game, but when it comes to deeds versus words, we’ll see the flipflops that this administration is known for.
Maybe I oughtta refer to B. Hussein 0bama as “Jaw-jaw Binks”?
Funny how Russia was able to invade and occupy without a single shot fired.
Maybe Ukraine should fight back or stop the charade of being a sovereign nation already.
Was reading something online that indicated Crimea is not self sufficient.
Utilities, food, water etc. come from Ukraine.
So, unless Putin is planning on a large logistics tail.
He will be acquiring the rest of the country also.
We have a Treaty with Ukraine.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/28/fact-check-could-a-little-known-international-agreement-force-u-s-britain-into-war-with-russia/
Enigma4you: actually, that is a “diplomatic memorandum”. It is not a formal treaty and was never ratified by the Senate.
Under the Constitution, it has no legal standing. While it serves as a statement of intent for future US actions, it imposes no legal obligations on the US government.
Treaties, in contrast, obligate the US government.
Enigma: That’s the Budapest Memorandum and that’s been visited here previously–though I’ll be damned if I can point you to the thread or the un-numbered comments regarding it.
I’ve pointed it out several times. Others, including you, say it means nothing and you’re probably right, because the time for putting a stop to these shenanigans was back when Obumbles took office. He showed he’s a pussy and the rest of the world agrees.
I just read that the Russians have given the Ukrainians until 2200 local to surrender or face “consequences”.
And so it begins…..
Well this will definitely stop the marble game going on in the Oval Office with Obama, Kerry, Carney and the Joint Chiefs.
Obama is saying, “shit, I had Hagel lined up to take his favorite cat’s eye and now this crap! I guess we have to go back to something that looks like work and make some more hollow, phony baloney statements and you know…what do they call it…oh yea…sabre rattling. Kerry, you up for this? Sure Chief, as long as I get my steely back! Done deal John. Carney can you whip up some good sounding bullshit for me to throw out so I look, you know…strong or something? Got it Chief! But first, verify my tee time, my next vacation and order a couple of sammiches for everyone!”
And so another day begins in the most powerful office on earth.
Sarcasm aside…it and they scare the hell out of me.
They scare the hell out of you? That’s awfully low-key. They scare the living shit out of me.
If there were any way to do it, I’d get into the Wayback machine and go back to my hometown.
The dilemma for the Ukraine is this: If they fight, they will most likely be crushed. If they don’t, then basically they are surrendering their sovereignty to the Russians.
However, that assumes that the Russians are not bluffing, which they may be, at least in the sense of wanting all-out war with Ukraine. I don’t think the Russians have the stomach for a protracted fight, they have enough of those going on already in other parts of their empire.
What I would expect is a one-sided “peace treaty” where Ukraine cedes a large chunk of territory to the Russians (including Crimea) in exchange for the Russians renouncing any claims on the rest of Ukraine.
Any chance the U.S. had to stave off this crisis ended on the day Obama came into office. Putin owns Obama, he knows it, Obama knows it.
All we are left with now is the Jaw of Democracy (John “reporting for duty” Kerry) making statements that cannot be backed up. We are pissed? There will be consequences? No screaming Eagle shit. Meanwhile, Ukraine is faced with a bunch of bad options.
It is sad to see the United States neutered like this. I am sure that there are tons of liberal assholes out there who think Obama is doing a bang up job. They are still waiting on their unicorn glitter to show up. Cause that is how the world is when you don’t face things as they are, but instead face things as you want them to be.
I wouldn’t even say its so much a case of Putin “owning” Obama, it’s more that Obama just doesn’t give a crap and Putin knows it.
I would go even further and say Obama has not a clue what to do and neither do his minions. And anyone who might have a bit of a clue is marginalized by the progressive idiots in charge.
Incidentally, after seeing all the videos and photos of the Russian troops occupying the Crimea, there is one burning question in my mind, and I’m sure it’s in a lot of other TAH readers’ minds as well:
When did the Russians start wearing US-Style K-pots?
Probably when All Points Logistics picked up the contract.
The troops you see are not the Russian Army. They are private security contractors. The Russies took a page out of the U.S. book. See, we have no troops there.
This is not say that the real Russian military will not show up.
The latest is that The Emperor says that Putin is on the wrong side of history, whatever the hell that means. He also says that Russia will be isolated. Yeah, isolated meaning what, that no one will do business with Ivan? Bullshit. Meanwhile, the head of the Ukranian Navy was just shown the door after trying to convince subordinate officers not to oppose the Russians. Crazy stuff. i still don’t care how this turns out. There was a legitimately elected gov’t in Ukraine and, whether or not some disliked his policies or his intention not to go European, that’s tough shit. We have to tolerate our own feckless asshole in obama and co. Do not forget that it was the rebellious minority who took over gov’t buildings and tossed the molotov cocktails. I don’t have a dog in this fight and I don’t want one, thanks. If it’s obama v. Putin, we know who wins.
Thank you 2/17 Air Cav. “We DO NOT have a dog in this fight. Period. it is for Russia and the Ukraine to figure out. You said it best, meanwhile…back home we have Obama and his minions working their little fingers to the bones to tear apart our society and nation as we knew and loved it. That is our Priority Number 1! Or should be!
If you think that right thinking (make that correct thinking) Americans believe Obama is a loser, cowardly, buffoon…then just ask Putin or any other world leader about him. After they stop laughing they would give you an ear full. Plus, it would be the truth that our MSM ignores daily and has for years!
bodaprez says he spent the entire weekend talking with leaders of our allies.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/obama-allies-agree-russia-broke-international-law-n43326
Names and pictures and phoneconf recordings or it didn’t happen.
Russia broke international law, huh? Well, whatcha gonna do ’bout it? Slap his wrist? Scold him? Make him sit on the time out chair?
I am SO glad that I did not vote for that idiot.
Oh, goody! There is no money in the budget for equipment, supplies or a trained military, but we are definitely going to send $1B billion (count ’em) of YOUR money to Ukraine. I kid you not.
http://news.msn.com/world/us-prepares-dollar1b-aid-package-for-troubled-ukraine
There are a lot of things that I have found disgusting about bodaprez and his braindead approach to everything in the effing world, but this is the cherry on top of the shit sundae.