Quote:
Originally Posted by Schroeder
All of this would make sense...if Ukraine was part of Russia. I don't see western Troops marching around in Ukraine. I don't see Leopard and Abrams tanks in Ukrainian service. I don't see western artillery systems in the arsenal of the Ukrainian forces. So what exactly did Moscow "react" to in a sovereign country that justified it's actions?
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The constant dance of the Ukrainians on Moscow's nose, and far more important: the serious new effort to bring thre Ukraine into the EU,
which would only be the prelude to have it joining NATO - and thus the Crimean becoming a naval base and air base for US forces in the Black Sea. That was explained so often now, months ago, it does not become less important only because opportunistically time and again ignoring it.
One could have known in advance in Washington that Moscow would not shy away form
anything necessary to prevent the Crimean becoming a NATO area. If they could only have achieved their goal by fullscaloe war against the totlaiuty of the Ukraine, they would have done it, before NATO could embark on turning it into a fortress. And probably one knew indeed! Which only shows the cynism when now the suffering of the civilian population is media-effectively mourned and complained about in the West. Anything the Russians did from autumn 2013 on - is just exercising their doctrine of
maskirovska to prevent that NATO scenario becoming true.
Or did you seriously think Putin is eager to become the endless paymaster of the Eastern part of the Ukraine just for sentimental reasons...?
No NATO military is in the Ukraine, you listed that above in your post very correctly.
And the Russians want to make sure that it stays that way. That's what it all is about, thats why it started. All what they take on the way to that goal, is just bonus prizes, and prey of opportunity.