Russia in Ukraine!

[Sir X]

Speak to the economics of western Europe and Germany's influence ,if dem nuh Inna di sanctions ting ,then that tells me the little they have is alot of economic influence.

[Don1]

I'm not saying Germany is not important.

Economics is one thing but if you don't control your own security independently you're just another pawn (ok maybe a knight in Germany's case ) when the big boys start to play geopolitical chess

[Mosiah]

What exactly can John McCain or Giuliani do? And what could they have done differently other than maintaining troops in wars that the American people cared little about? If that is the sort of military bravado they want America to have, they're on their own.

How does one effectively counter Putin's argument that what took place in the Ukraine leading up to the Russian invasion was itself illegal, an illegal overthrow of an elected government, or at least its leader. Two wrongs don't make a right but where was Barack with his diplomacy to sort out the Ukrainians and their illegal activities then?

[Don1]

What exactly can John McCain or Giuliani do?

What they do best... Huff n Puff

[Assasin]

It is not the first time Russia invade and it won't be the last time. How quick we forget the so call "Orange revolt". This was just a few years ago. The fact is some people there want out from Russia bad and others don't. They will have to live with a mix as America can do nothing from stopping Russia from invading when they see it fit to do it.

[Bricktop]

The US was egging on the protests in Ukraine...Putin goin gi Obama a face full of Timberlands

[Mosiah]

It is not the first time Russia invade and it won't be the last time.

And that is indeed a pity. Time for Russia to get the kind of leader who moves away from those big brother attitudes unless it's a last resort.

I'm hoping that Barack has also ushered in a new type of politics where America doesn't rush in to fight useless wars and to murder world leaders. I'm not that naive, however. The next Republican president will want to position America again as the world superpower, the world's policeman, even as the very people who may support such an image pray that their own son's or daughter's return is not preceded by a neatly folded Stars and Stripes.

[Assasin]

You a dream to rhatid. The Russian ego will not allow this "Time for Russia to get the kind of leader who moves away from those big brother attitudes unless it's a last resort." It is just hard to give up what you think you own.

America is battle weary right now but most president don't want to look soft and we know how some of the hawks like pushing the war thing.

We can only hope.

[Islandman]

Not a ting. Money come fuss.

A secret briefing document held by an individual walking into Downing Street has been photographed. It suggests the UK will oppose trade sanctions against Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The document also suggests that the UK will not try and restrict Russian trade through the City of London.
It does, however, suggest that Britain may place visa restrictions on some Russians.

In other words, don't come to London but please send you money still.

[Mosiah]

Clearly! That's my dream! Thought that was clear!

[Karl]

There is little the US can do but it has nothing to do with "German backative". Ukraine is tied into Russia militarily, physically & culturally... so the US is not a big player there. They can only meddle in Ukraine's affairs from the sidelines

Germany is occupied territory... riddled with US military bases.. which means they don't even know half of what goes on within their own territory... aks Angela Merkel an har phone company

West Europeans don't control their military/security affairs since 1945... Americans do

You still believe that Merkel was not playing politics when she feigned outrage at the NSA tapping her phone?

...and yes all of

Ukraine is tied into Russia militarily, physically & culturally

but the trade ties all of the US European allies have with Russia is also great hindrance to any move the US keeps mouthing.

Additionally, there is also that 30+ billion dollar trade that US corporations currently enjoy with Russia and the potential for expansion of that trade. Sure 30+billion may not seem like much as percentage of US world-trade but to those companies and their US workforce reaping the benefits of such and looking towards expansion it is a big deal. ...there is also the context of the already anemic US economy.

Russia also wants to 'have her cake and eat it' as she does not wish any serious disruption to her economy. The trade Russia current enjoys with the Europeans and the US combined is a big deal.

Putin is doing a balancing act - He shall retain huge influence in Crimea (done deal) but does he wish to push further? He is doing his calculations on cost of such a push...financial and political in 'the motherland' and how it would affect him personally. His reading on that answer will lend him to act one way or another....not the posturing of 'outsiders'...USA or others. He is merely using the responses of 'the outsiders' to frame his outward show.

[Don1]

=Karl;470197]You still believe that Merkel was not playing politics when she feigned outrage at the NSA tapping her phone?

I'm not speaking of Merkel's reaction to being monitored

I'm saying Germany does not control its own security.... the US controls it ultimately with both conventional and nuclear weapons it maintains on German territory

...and yes all of but the trade ties all of the US European allies have with Russia is also great hindrance to any move the US keeps mouthing.

Additionally, there is also that 30+ billion dollar trade that US corporations currently enjoy with Russia and the potential for expansion of that trade. Sure 30+billion may not seem like much as percentage of US world-trade but to those companies and their US workforce reaping the benefits of such and looking towards expansion it is a big deal. ...there is also the context of the already anemic US economy.

Russia also wants to 'have her cake and eat it' as she does not wish any serious disruption to her economy. The trade Russia current enjoys with the Europeans and the US combined is a big deal.

Putin is doing a balancing act - He shall retain huge influence in Crimea (done deal) but does he wish to push further? He is doing his calculations on cost of such a push...financial and political in 'the motherland' and how it would affect him personally. His reading on that answer will lend him to act one way or another....not the posturing of 'outsiders'...USA or others. He is merely using the responses of 'the outsiders' to frame his outward show.

The US wishes to encircle and throttle Russia with military bases on Russia's western border...thru NATO which it controls. That's been done in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and other nations formerly in the Soviet orbit. It is now being attempted in Ukraine.

Regardless of any economic factors at play Russia will not allow Ukraine to be used as a NATO/US military platform against it..... Ukraine is literally and figuratively a Red Line for Russia