Ukraine 4

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Thu, 2016-07-07 21:22

ikosmos

Quote:
Canada is on the cusp of finalizing a defence co-operation agreement with Ukraine, and the country's ambassador tells CBC News he's hopeful the Trudeau government will soon allow Canadian companies to export weapons to the embattled nation.

Yup. "embattled nation". If those dastardly Russians would just die more quickly ...

Quote:
Deepening ties and showing solidarity with the war-weary government in Kyiv is one of the major themes of the next few days as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau departs this afternoon for high-level meetings in eastern Europe.

Nice editing CBC scumbags. "war weary" ? Are you fucking kidding? They won't even agree to their responsibilities in the Minsk Agreement. That's because ... they'd rather kill Ukrainians that happen to be ethnic Russians than agree to a ceasefire, etc.

CBC. Because freedom.

Mon, 2016-07-11 18:42

#503

NorthReport

Justin Trudeau praises Canadian military efforts in Ukraine

Prime Minister pleased with job troops have done training Ukrainian counterparts in basics of soldiering; signs new Canada-Ukraine free trade deal.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/07/11/trudeau-signs-canada-ukra...

Tue, 2016-07-12 10:39

#504

josh

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked Canadian soldiers on Tuesday for their role in training the Ukrainian army, before getting a demonstration of their work firsthand.Speaking to some of the 200 soldiers who have been based near the western city of Lviv since January, Trudeau emphasized the importance of continuing to support Ukraine in its struggle with Russia.

"It has been a long time since Canada had to defend our valour and defend our territory," he said in French to the soldiers, who are members of the Valcartier-based Royal 22e Regiment, better known as the Van Doos. "But we need to continue to work with those who are fighting for democracy and their territorial integrity. It is essential."

http://ipolitics.ca/2016/07/12/trudeau-visits-canadian-troops-in-ukraine/

Tue, 2016-07-12 11:36

#505

ikosmos

Gosh. I'm "so glad" that the Trudeau regime has turned away from the predatory policies of the previous Harper jackbooters. Uh huh.

Tue, 2016-07-12 12:29

#506

kropotkin1951

Liberal Tory same old militarism. NATO Ready Aye Ready says every party in the House of Commons. Of course one has to also accept that our oligarchy is better than the Russian oligarchy.

Wed, 2016-07-20 11:45

#507

NorthReport

Car bomb kills award-winning journalist Pavel Sheremet in Kiev

Reporter for Ukrainian Pravda and critic of leaders in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia was driving to work when car exploded

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/ukraine-journalist-pavel-s...

Mon, 2016-07-25 01:29

#508

NorthReport

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/ukraine-costly-corruption-russia-wa...

Fri, 2016-08-05 21:33

#509

NorthReport

New Russian Pipeline In Baltic Sea Could 'Collapse' Ukraine

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2016/08/05/new-russian-pipeline-in...

Sat, 2016-08-06 09:13

#510

Geoff

CBC News Netork ran a headline on its news ticker that, as a result of the current conflict in Ukraine, the proliferation of weapons was a massive problem. Funny, in the U.S. the proliferation of weapons is regarded by many as the best way to keep the peace.

Apparently, Ukraine doesn't appreciate the opportunity for peace and stability that unrestricted gun ownership offers. Different culture, I guess.

Mon, 2016-08-08 19:26

#511

Geoff

I'm wondering if anyone can help me find a credible source suggesting that the people of Crimea had been lobbying since 1990 to be repatriated to Russia and that they submitted to being handed over to Ukraine only because they were still part of the USSR.

A friend of mine was telling me about this little-known piece of history, and I'd like to investigate further. Thanks to anyone who can recommend a good article or book.

Wed, 2016-08-10 15:06

#512

ikosmos

Geoff wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone can help me find a credible source suggesting that the people of Crimea had been lobbying since 1990 to be repatriated to Russia and that they submitted to being handed over to Ukraine only because they were still part of the USSR.

A friend of mine was telling me about this little-known piece of history, and I'd like to investigate further. Thanks to anyone who can recommend a good article or book.

1. Any decent history of Russia will provide the enormous role of Crimea in Russia history. Tolstoi wrote very significant stuff about it, ffs. You don't even have to read boring old history. Just read the greats.

2. Krushchev "gifted" Crimea to Ukraine [just as Stalin "gifted" South Ossetia to Georgia by the way] back in the late 50's/early 60's.

3. Look up anything on referendums (including the one that was held recently to secede from Ukraine by Crimeans) in Crimean history.

4. Finally, for the human element, just look up reports on Crimea by sympathetic journalists going there. You will find that there's a pretty strong unanimity that Crimeans are just happy, thank you very much, to be a part of Russia again. You can't fake this stuff.

Cheers.

Wed, 2016-08-10 15:11

#513

ikosmos

More seriously ...

"The Russian Federal Security Service says it prevented terrorist attacks in Crimea prepared by the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys main intelligence directorate. Russia has introduced additional measures to protect the important infrastructure and life support facilities:

Quote:
"The Russian Federal Security Service prevented terrorist attacks in the Republic of Crimea prepared by the main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. Their planned target was critically important infrastructure," the FSB said on its website, adding that the purpose of the planned attacks was "to destabilize the socio-political situation in the region as preparations for elections of federal and regional authorities are underway."

http://tass.ru/en/politics/893518

The Russian President has remarked, following the killing of two FSB officers who were acting to prevent a terrorist attack, that there is little point in the Normandy Four meeting [when Ukraine's Defence Ministry and Intelligence Service is openly involved in terrorism].

TASS wrote:
"I believe it is already obvious for all that todays Kiev authorities are not seeking the methods of solving problems through negotiations but are switching to terror," Putin said....

"Of course, in these circumstances holding a meeting in the Normandy format, the more so in China, is pointless. Apparently, those who once seized power in Kiev and are still retaining it have shifted to terrorist practices instead of searching for compromises, instead of searching for ways of a peaceful settlement," Putin said.

http://tass.ru/en/politics/893577

State terrorism. This is the "free Ukraine" that Canada, and other NATO regimes, are generously funding and expressing "solidarity" with.

Wed, 2016-08-10 18:27

#514

NorthReport

Is the Ukraine just about to blow?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/10/is-ukraine-just-about-t...

Wed, 2016-08-10 18:40

#515

kropotkin1951

NorthReport wrote:

Is the Ukraine just about to blow? http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/10/is-ukraine-just-about-t...

Could you find a site that was more anti-Russian?

Thu, 2016-08-11 08:20

#516

Geoff

ikosmos wrote:

Geoff wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone can help me find a credible source suggesting that the people of Crimea had been lobbying since 1990 to be repatriated to Russia and that they submitted to being handed over to Ukraine only because they were still part of the USSR.

A friend of mine was telling me about this little-known piece of history, and I'd like to investigate further. Thanks to anyone who can recommend a good article or book.

1. Any decent history of Russia will provide the enormous role of Crimea in Russia history. Tolstoi wrote very significant stuff about it, ffs. You don't even have to read boring old history. Just read the greats.

2. Krushchev "gifted" Crimea to Ukraine [just as Stalin "gifted" South Ossetia to Georgia by the way] back in the late 50's/early 60's.

3. Look up anything on referendums (including the one that was held recently to secede from Ukraine by Crimeans) in Crimean history.

4. Finally, for the human element, just look up reports on Crimea by sympathetic journalists going there. You will find that there's a pretty strong unanimity that Crimeans are just happy, thank you very much, to be a part of Russia again. You can't fake this stuff.

Cheers.

Thank you, ikosmos. Your suggestions will get me started. Much appreciated.

Thu, 2016-08-11 13:42

#517

ikosmos

The recent incident(s) around the Crimea/Ukrainian border could be the catalyst for the Kiev regime, or some political extremists within it, to start a more serious conflict with Russia. The next few hours/days will tell. It's worth remembering that the conflict in the Donbass has NOT ended, there is shelling all the time, and casualties, etc., even if the Western governments, and their lickspittle MSM, says nothing about it.

But there is also another angle worth looking at.

Alexander Mercouris wrote:
There will be dismay in Europe over something else. The Europeans have stupidly linked the lifting of sanctions against Russia to the full implementation of the Minsk II Accords notwithstanding that they know perfectly well that it is Kiev not Moscow which is not honouring them.

Mercouris is not quite precise here. Moscow actually has zero responsibilities under Minsk-2 even if they were, obviously, part of the process. The Kremlin wisely insisted that the way for the conflict to be resolved is for the two sides (Kiev vs. Donetsk and Lugansk) to resolve them by meeting, face to face, and resolving them. But Kiev has refused to meet with or even acknowledge the existence of these authorities. Instead, Kiev just keeps shelling them - including civilian targets.

Quote:
The whole premise of this foolish step was that it would pressure Moscow to make concessions. In the event not only has Moscow failed to make any concessions but Putin has now called off the next Normandy Four meeting, which was supposed to review progress in implementing the Minsk II Accords. With growing public anger in Europe over the sanctions there must now be panic on the part of some European leaders that the Russians may be prepared to walk away from the whole Minsk II process – which they foolishly linked the sanctions to – leaving these same European leaders high and dry.

Even when your opponents are acting like idiots, it pays to leave them a face-saving out. But what do you do when they deliberately paint themselves into a corner and then demand, noisily, that you get them out of their predicament?

See - Poroshenko Preparing to Attack Donbass and Crimea

Thu, 2016-08-11 15:59

#518

Geoff

Geoff wrote:

ikosmos wrote:

Geoff wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone can help me find a credible source suggesting that the people of Crimea had been lobbying since 1990 to be repatriated to Russia and that they submitted to being handed over to Ukraine only because they were still part of the USSR.

A friend of mine was telling me about this little-known piece of history, and I'd like to investigate further. Thanks to anyone who can recommend a good article or book.

1. Any decent history of Russia will provide the enormous role of Crimea in Russia history. Tolstoi wrote very significant stuff about it, ffs. You don't even have to read boring old history. Just read the greats.

2. Krushchev "gifted" Crimea to Ukraine [just as Stalin "gifted" South Ossetia to Georgia by the way] back in the late 50's/early 60's.

3. Look up anything on referendums (including the one that was held recently to secede from Ukraine by Crimeans) in Crimean history.

4. Finally, for the human element, just look up reports on Crimea by sympathetic journalists going there. You will find that there's a pretty strong unanimity that Crimeans are just happy, thank you very much, to be a part of Russia again. You can't fake this stuff.

Cheers.

Thank you, ikosmos. Your suggestions will get me started. Much appreciated.

Never let it be said that I don't do my homework when it's assigned (LOL). Here's what I found out about the referenda in Crimea:

In the 1991 Referendum, voters were asked whether they wanted to re-establish the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, which had been abolished in 1945. The referendum passed by 94.30%.

In the 1994 referendum for greater autonomy, voters were asked if they favoured the restoration of the provision of the Constitution of the Republic of Crimea. The referendum passed by 78.4%.

Between 2009 and 2011, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted seven polls in Crimea, asking voters whether or not they favoured re-joining Russia. They all passed by a 2/3 majority.

Finally, in the referendum of 2014, 96.77% of voters chose to re-join Russia.

Now, these stats were reported in Wikipedia, which, of course, is a dodgy source to rely on. However the stats are referenced, so they appear to be legitimate. Here's the page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_referendum,_1994 (If anyone can show that the sources and/or numbers are unreliable, please correct me.)

It's hard not to conclude that, at every opportunity, the people of Crimea have demonstrated their wish to loosen ties to Ukraine. Consequently, trying to justify the current anti-Russian crusade on the basis of the "takeover" of Crimea seems pretty far-fetched.

Thu, 2016-08-11 23:07

#519

ikosmos

Canadian Patrick Armstrong on Crimea:

Quote:
It has to be said that the comparison between Crimea and Latvia (or the other two Baltic states) is rather forced. A thousand years ago, Crimea was clearly part of the Byzantine/Rus culture – indeed Vladimir the Great, ruler of Novgorod and later of Kiev, was baptised in Khersones in Crimea. Conquered by the Mongols in the 1200s, it became an appendage of the Ottoman Empire and was reconquered by Russia in 1783. The Russian Black Sea Fleet was then founded and has been based there ever since. In 1954 Khrushchev transferred Crimea from the RSFSR to the Ukrainian SSR (illegally it appears). When the USSR broke up, the Black Sea Fleet remained under treaty between Moscow and Kiev together with up to 25,000 Russian soldiers and sailors. In the 2014 referendum well over 90% voted to (re)join Russia and the Russian troops provided security; there was no “invasion”.

The quote is from an article by Armstrong mocking the Russophobia around Latvia.

Living the Dream - Latvia, NATO, and the EU.

Armstrong is quite brilliant. I've been reading his stuff for some time and I notice that others are noticing him as well. Russian English-language media are printing his stuff left and right. Peter Lavelle quotes him. Why? Because he's a pretty sober analyst of all things Russian, knows the culture, he has a sense of humour, and he just has the kind of thoughtful Canadian sensibility that we need more of.

Thu, 2016-08-11 23:21

#520

ikosmos

Peter Lavelle: is there an October Surprise with Ukraine for the US Election?

Quote:
Poroshenko and his government have been waging a low-level war of skirmishes and cross border attacks on Crimea and the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. The American public is already well conditioned to accept all of this is Russia’s fault. What is now needed and is probably being planned is a manufactured incident to make it look like Russia attacked and invaded Ukraine. The American public will be rallied with the usual mantra “something must be done” and the Trump campaign will be left flat footed, red faced, and denounced. Joe McCarthy will smile with glee from the grave.

Sounds like fiction? If it does, then you simply have not been paying attention – this is how Washington thinks and works.

Fri, 2016-08-12 09:07

#521

MegB

Continued here.

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