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Sunday 2 March 2014

630: Ukraine IV

 

The unfolding crisis in Ukraine appears to be the sort of thing that breeds nightmares; why is Russia living in the 19th century - or at least acting in 19th century style?

Certain "tweeters" have observed the irony of these events occurring 100 years since 1914, a rather obvious parallel to draw perhaps.
 
I am more uneasy when I think of the events of 76 years ago, and shall be even more uneasy should a "summit" conference be held at Munich.

It is essential that the megalomaniac Russian president not be appeased and indeed be forced one way or the other to bring his troops back within Russia's borders, where they belong.

Until the next time.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

"essential" maybe but who you gonna call?

Paul said...

It is interesting that the Ukrainians in Kiev have now christened Tsar Vlad, "Putler" c/w caricatures with mini-moustache.

Well as I said we do not want a repeat of 2008 and Georgia, when Putin got off scot-free, nor a repeat of 1938 where Hitler got off scot-free - thereby allowed to continue his adventures.

This time even the Chinese are pissed off and have said so; surely for once the world can come together to stop this criminal lunatic?

Erik Bartlam said...

I think Putin and the Russians are living in the world as it actually is. The end of the Cold War did nothing to end power politics.

The U.S. isn't going to do anything...I mean, Ears and his administration will continue to make fools of themselves by threatening and then whining but they aren't going to do anything.

For my part...it makes me sick to see sovereign territory invaded but, I don't see how it's any business of the U.S.

Of course, if it was up to me there wouldn't be any U.S. that was big enough to get involved in other people's business.

Maybe the Chinese...they're actually in the neighborhood, will do something about it.

Paul said...

Thank you for commenting.

You wrote: "Of course, if it was up to me there wouldn't be any U.S. that was big enough to get involved in other people's business."

You forgot to include Russia and China in that statement; why? And why (my inference) is it OK for the Russians to do what you would condemn the US for?

Erik Bartlam said...

No no...sorry for the misunderstanding. I don't think it's ok at all for the Russians to do what they're doing. I'm again' it. I just think they are doing what major players have always done.

As for the Chinese interfering...they're right there and they seem anxious to put their balls out...so, maybe out of self interest they'll put pressure on the Russians to stop.

I just don't want to see...and honestly don't know what, beyond making empty threats, the U.S. could do about it.



Paul said...

The Chinese have indeed, as I pointed out in my article, complained about Russian behaviour; that of course does not mean that will do anything - in fact I consider it even less likely than the US acting.

Also remember that this is on Europe's (i.e. NATO's) doorstep.

I reiterate: we watched when Hitler rearmed, we watched when he marched into the Rhineland; we did nothing. Next the Anschluss and then the Sudetenland, and still we did nothing. Then he annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia and still we did nothing.

And you know what happened next: the Nazis and the Soviets carved up Poland between them.

So when's the time to act? Any chance that NATO and the UN can possibly unite, just this once to stop this criminal?

Erik Bartlam said...

I think you're right...Europe can't opt out of this one so easily. Especially, as you've pointed out, with what looks like an emerging pattern (Georgia 08*).

The U.N. is worthless...I really don't know why we're still bothering with that. There is NATO but, maybe this is a good time for Europe to find out whether or not it can unite over security concerns. I'm dubious but they gotta deal with it at some point.

*If I might add a little levity...there was a joke in these parts during the invasion of Georgia...all sporting goods stores in Alabama sold out of ammunition because "the Russians had taken over Georgia and they weren't gonna let that happen in Alabama."

Paul said...

Yes Erik, the UN is really only a talking shop, given the dreaded VETO in the Security Council. I suppose it might just be a gnat's better than its spiritual predecessor, the truly useless League of Nations. Still, even Winston Churchill, described by lefties everywhere as a "warmonger" said "jaw jaw is better than war war."

Your point about European nations co-operating is well made - sadly always a problem - in a way the essential flaw, or the 'elephant in the room,' in the EU.

I love the joke - thanks