Ukraine Crisis

[late347]

What's your guys' opinions on the matter?

What should be done?

What has been done?

How do you feel about it, are you in actual danger or close to it, because of the crisis?

[billchao]

I'm not an expert on the subject, so my opinion is just that, and opinion. I feel, as a citizen of the United States, that the international community should handle this, diplomatically if possible. Our military is not the world police, and there are crises everywhere.

[MS256]

Quote:

Originally Posted by late347

What's your guys' opinions on the matter?

What should be done?

By us alone? Nothing.

Quote:

What has been done?

A little rhetoric and some non-consequential sanctions on individuals.

Quote:

How do you feel about it, are you in actual danger or close to it, because of the crisis?

Near future? No. From a precedent being set where anybody can do just about whatever they choose without any real repercussions? Yes we could pay for it down the road.

Without the Europeans caring enough to impose stiff sanctions (even if it meant giving up the energy from Russia that they depend on) we would be spinning our wheels with unilateral actions.

Everybody is willing to throw Ukraine under the bus and Putin knows it. He can do what he wants.

We'll see if he stops there or if China (or somebody else) tries some land grabs of their own. Now would be the time if they are interested in it.

[late347]

By us alone? Nothing.

A little rhetoric and some non-consequential sanctions on individuals.

Near future? No. From a precedent being set where anybody can do just about whatever they choose without any real repercussions? Yes we could pay for it down the road.

Without the Europeans caring enough to impose stiff sanctions (even if it meant giving up the energy from Russia that they depend on) we would be spinning our wheels with unilateral actions.

Everybody is willing to throw Ukraine under the bus and Putin knows it. He can do what he wants.

We'll see if he stops there or if China (or somebody else) tries some land grabs of their own. Now would be the time if they are interested in it.

All news thusfar seem to point to:

-Putin supporting terrorist / criminal groups in Ukraine with heavy weapons

-Russian forces are currently mobilizing and transporting tanks to the Rus-Ukr borders. News seem to point towards oncoming invasion of east-Ukraine.

-Crimean landgrab, earlier, was organized by infiltrated Russian mercenaries and Russian special forces. With heavy-backing from Russian federation (such as war equipment straight from Russian warehouses and armories, and communications too)

-Crimean election results seem to have been frauded. No oversight of the elections existed. And it  was conducted under Russian election observers and unmarked (though still) Russian gunmen.

This definitely seems to go against the Russian's previous policies. Their policy has changed, this much is certain by now. Even if America doesn't want a new cold war. It seems that Putin is now pushing for revenge from his own corner so to speak.

Previously the Russians argued against US-Iraq war, and also the legality of Kosovo independence. Now the Russians seemingly no longer care, and just invade and grab pieces of land from other countries. Essentially threatening with war, I suppose...

I know that Obama's red lines so far, have been perhaps less than credible.

But there must be red lines, actual red lines which will not be crossed... Let's hope Putin won't stick his nose into Eastern Europe (nato) in the next round...