Merkel Apparently Fears Devastating Defeat of the Ukrainian Army

Russian President Vladimir Putin has disappeared. Well, not literally, but he hasn't been seen in public for a full week and reports about his schedule on the presidential website seem suspect. The Kremlin denies that he is ill, and the Russian blogosphere is abuzz with speculation.....

 

Read again the thread(s) about Ukraine. I am playing what i want btw. not one of your business.

Here is a nice video for you one that you can agree with at last, I guess:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EJLi23fTPg

 

This is exactly what I was talking about.

Instead of actually reading what was written by previous posters in a constructive manner, and in the context of trying to promote dialogue, you get all snarky, and post more opinion pieces, further more you try to assign opinions and values to a fellow member based on your very own self-limited understanding of said member.

 

Here's an article contrasting the German and US positions on the situation. Note that there is little disagreement on the basic facts just the numbers and how to deal with the situation:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2015/03/12/259563/europe-us-at-odds-over-size-of.html#

 

Looks like it's too late to edit the last article. Here's one that mentions Putin's about face as to the role of Russian troops in taking the Crimea:
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/03/15/putin-russia-prepared-raising-nuclear-readiness-over-crimea/24806037/
Pretty clear that you can't trust anything he says or the Russian goverment media reports at this point.


Oh here's another one talking to the fallout due to Russias actions:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20150314.aspx

 

Where do you get your information from?!?

Germany has a huge stake in Ukraine as Germany invested millions into this new regime and millions more into the numerous loans that Ukraine is on the verge of defaulting on.

No one I repeat NO ONE in the EU wants Ukraine. Why? Because Ukraine has nothing to offer the EU! It is a completely corrupt and bankrupted nation. No one wants another Greece or Albania....

 

It would appear otherwise-


"Joint press release following the endorsement of the updated Association Agenda by the EU-Ukraine Association Council
16/3/2015
The EU-Ukraine Association Council today endorsed the updated Association Agenda, which will be instrumental in guiding the process of enhanced reforms and economic modernisation in Ukraine. Being agreed between the Ukrainian Government and the EU and its Member States, this document constitutes the main political tool for the implementation and monitoring of the Association Agreement.
The EU-Ukraine Association Agenda provides a practical framework through which the overall objectives of political association and economic integration can be achieved. It does so by providing a list of reform priorities and concrete measures as well as relevant EU support on the wide range of areas covered by the Association Agreement, of which important parts are provisionally applied since 1 November 2014. The updated document now reflects the enhanced level of association in our bilateral relations."
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/03/16-joint-press-release-following-the-endorsement-updated-association-agenda-eu-ukraine-association-council/

 

Then perhaps you are familiar with these articles:
http://www.rferl.org/content/hammond-britain-crimea-russia-ukraine/26914522.html
http://www.stripes.com/news/europe/eu-pledges-to-extend-russian-sanctions-vote-to-come-later-1.335700
and here's a real "winning" piece of Soviet Russian diplomacy.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/22/us-denmark-russia-idUSKBN0MI0ML20150322
Wasn't someone on the navy thread complaining abut US nuclear weapon policiy?

 

The Ukraine is not Greece.
People want to work there, the climate dictates a paycheque.
Ukraine GDP- 177 billion in 2014.
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/ukraine/gdp
Greece GDP- 241 billion?
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/greece/gdp

Wait a second.
Greece makes more than the Ukraine.
Follow the money...The graph in links show Greece has fallen off the edge recently, but the Ukraine is dismal. Can see why they'd like to join us.

 

A couple of interesting articles relevant to this topic:
http://www.stripes.com/news/usareur-commander-faces-the-cameras-and-russia-1.337457

and
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32114522

 

If the separatists had practically no heavy weaponry or tanks etc to start with and now they have everything where the h*** did it all come from if Russia did not give them. Father Xmas sent them? That´s the official Russian view by Putin and Lavrov, I bet.

 

Nah, its genetically modified crops.. They growing tanks and artillery on trees.

 

Looks like at least one pundit expects the Russians to go back on to the offensive next week:
http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2015/03/heres-when-next-incursion-ukraine-could-happen/108955/?oref=d-mostread
and more info on Russian support to the seperatist:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htecm/articles/20150401.aspx

 

My good friend lives in Moscow and many locals talks about this very openly according to her. Most of them are proud what Russia is doing.

LWD, If you look at the Ukrainian map it is not rocket science to spot what are the targets for Russians. Mariupol is next bigger city on their way to Crimea. Their main target is to establish land connection from Russia to Crimea and Mariupol is basically only bigger obstacle on their way to Crimea. It is also easy to see that Donetsk and Luhansk are very important traffic cross roads and so surprise surprise taken by Russian forces.

 

A couple more current articles:
http://www.rferl.org/content/russian-paper-removes-article-about-soldier-wounded-in-ukraine/26944703.html
http://www.newsweek.com/pro-russian-rebels-told-major-attack-ukraine-imminent-320868?piano_t=1
Oh and here is one discussing the Tatars and freedom of the press:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/ukraine-vows-to-save-crimean-tatar-tv-silenced-by-russia-1.2163167

 

An interesting article for the Finanical times that tries (at least IMO) to take a balanced approach.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/505bfd22-de2e-11e4-8d14-00144feab7de.html#slide0
Here's one that if verified could be significant:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/10/russian-fighter-ukraine-motorola

 

It seems the shooting has been going on for a week or so again. Looks like it´s going to be a "cold and locked" war there for a long time.

 

Another article from the strategy page:
http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/russia/articles/20150423.aspx

.

 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine..... A totally credible and unbiased article.

It is becoming increasingly clear who is responsible for what. U.S. Allies are beginning to distance themselves...
Germany has already publicly stated that is does not agree with Gen. Breedloves assessment of current situation in Ukraine. This was published in Der Piegel which I have already posted.

Interesting how this article says nothing about the individuals whom these rebels are fighting and why...

 

I'm glad you agree. I can't see how anyone could logically disagree but thanks for confirming you accept it.

Indeed as Putin points changes his story pointing out his own and Russian lack of veracity he makes it very clear the he and the Russian governement were and are responsible for violating international treaties and lwas and destabalizing the Ukraine.

Or not. There are debates as one would expect on how to handle the situation. There is no serious debate about Russian culpability.

Why do you find it "interesting"? Is it because you would like to spin them as "Neo Nazis" and thus justify the Russian lies and crimes? But of course it doe say something about them, indeed it makes it clear (without admitedly stateing it) that they are, at least for the most part, Ukrainian patriots fighting for their land and their way of life which the rebels and Russians are trying to take from them.

Oh here are some more background articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/30/world/europe/ukraine-separatists-rewrite-history-of-1930s-famine.html?ref=europe>&_r=0
The old Soviet concept of history serving the state seams to be in full play.

http://news.yahoo.com/us-now-sees-russia-directing-ukraines-rebels-044636867.html%3E
Another strong argument against the Russian position that they aren't involved in the Ukraine.

And wasn't someone saying that there weren't any problems with the Russian economy?
http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-gazprom-2014-net-income-decline-ukraine-sanctions-ruble/26985143.html