Ukraine Ugly
 

This could very nasty. The Bear is on the move........but I'm sure our state department (no caps) will handle it with floursh. :rolleyes:

All hail mother Russia! I'm sure we'll sit idly by and watch, probably with some speeches containing "strong words".

It's none of our business but as suggested, I'm sure there will be some saber rattling by our fearless leader. You know, pink line in the sandy beach over in some sand trap in Hawaii.

We really aren't the leader of the free world anymore, haven't been for a while now so all we can do is numble, mumble, maybe some more words of wisdom from John (the) Ferry.

Possibly Putin's future is compromised in light of this. I believe natural gas to heat the Ukraine comes from Russia. Russia could jack up the gas price and make it nasty for the Ukrainians. The days of Glasnost seem to be over in Russia. Courageous folks those Ukrainians....time will tell.
G

well the red line isn't gonna come up...


Rika

What worries me the most is, if history is anything to go by is that the Russians are capable of anything.

I'm betting it will work itself out but a little part of me thinks things could get ugly very quickly.
The soldiers with no markings or insignias on their uniforms is not new but that Smacks of something sinister.

Also... The US should not intervene. Not directly anyway.

It is very fascinating... we were in Kiev and stayed at Maidan Square shortly before the unrest began. Coming from Russia, it was easy to see that the Ukrainians were trying hard to be European. They were much more colorful, cheerful, and had services more closely resembling Europe than Russia. We really enjoyed the city. Lots of new money there. Russia controls their gas supply and turned it completely off a few years ago. I can totally understand why the Ukrainians are tired of Russia's games and power plays. The money these days is in the hands of the younger Ukrainians, so I'm confident that they'll trend towards the EU.

Reminds me of Hungary in the 50's and Czechoslovakia in 68-69.

A lousy situation.
The Russian leader can't back off from his tough guy image.
The free world has no leader but one that thinks he is.
Historicaly, an armed conflict is often the result.

Well put. That's what I was thinking.

Ukrainians seem to be pretty determined and may stand up to the Russian bear. However I think if the situation develops, their experiences with the prior government will seem like child's play compared to dealing with the Russians. I personally think there is a chance Putin might move into the Ukraine. He knows the U.S. & European countries will just tongue wag, impose some sanctions, and whatever else for a time, but he might have a chance of moving into Ukraine on a permanent basis and let things cool down over time. I really hope the Ukranians all out rebel if that happens. It would be their only chance.

The Russians invaded Georgia in 2008.

2008 Georgia

They will invade Ukraine soon. We can't stop them.

It depends on how far the Russians go into Ukraine. The Crimea is clearly Russian territory. (Well, Crimean Tatar territory....but since they were mostly exterminated by the Russians.....). If the Ukrainian leaders had any sense, they would suggest making the Crimea and Eastern Ukraine separate administrative districts with some autonomy. But they seem to be insisting that Crimea is Ukrainian territory. And thus the tanks are going to roll in.....

Great pic, lane912!

Marv, what do you mean by move into the Ukraine? Do you mean the Crimea? Or the eastern end? Or...

What exactly ARE the historical borders of the Ukraine anyway? They seem pretty fluid.

and our POTUS will yell "we must protect free democracy!!!" and loby to send money to suport the oposition forces. what he will not say is that the oposition forces are neo nazi's and not very nice folks.

don't we have serious peroblems here at home to deal with???
why do we need to be involved in any way???

Another example of a serious situation.

Other than partnering under the UN ,NOT LEADING, there is no action for the US to take.

Not quite so. Georgia started it when they sarted terrorizing a russian minority population in their northern border region that was supoposed to have independent status. Then Russia responded.

The big problem for the US is their insistence to meddle in the Ukraine. That is like Russia or China getting involved if trouble starts in Mexico.