how you develop your opinions is every bit as important to the conversation, as the opinions themselves. Without that, we are left with dueling links, and rhetoric. Essentially a waste of time don’t you think? So, even though reporters are witnessing these things and reporting them to us. Often at personal risk i might add. You reject them for the obviously false statements from vlad putin.
possibly because i am obtaining information from totally different sources to yours. One being in relation to ‘cold war’ rhetoric, ‘feared’ empire building and potential wwiii, the other in relation to how the people actually feel threatened on the ground and living there. I’m listening to more neutral press and from additional sources, most importantly the people themselves, in addition to the other sources, e.g. The estonian minister’s observations and the damning telephone evidence of victoria nuland in relation to the eu/usa intervention on the development of the ukraine government. Initially it was reported to be the Estonian Prime Minister. We see now that this was not the case. But in the end what does it matter. The Ukrainians wanted to be rid of Russia so they took the steps to accomplish this. Blood was shed on both sides.
so you’re saying everyone on this thread should all be singing from the same hymn sheet, otherwise go away? I’m saying tell me how you’ve drawn your rather pro Russian opinions. If it’s simply a matter of you making poor choices in your media selections. Well, that’s something that can be worked on. If there is something else at work here. Then tell us and we can discuss it.
Placing troops in a region, and holding a referendum should send up warning flags for you. How is it that it doesn’t?
I know that ireland elected to stay out of world war two. But this is essentially how it started.
*yes, putin has placed troops in crimea, although legally he has troops there anyway, and crimea invited him in. Ok, the crimean government was set up in a similar manner to the ukraine one, c’est la vie. Putin said he did it to protect the russian people so who’s to say he didn’t. I’d say his reasons are a bit of both, crimea and the russian people.
*
if you think that europe can prosper with a soviet union sized empire holding most of the cards. By all means share how this can be so.
*how would russia hold ‘any’ cards, if crimea wish to be part of russia? It’s like a game of monopoly then - no you can’t have any more land as you’ll be too powerful, who cares about your ‘people’ living on your doorstep, or what they want just stay out of it and stick with what you’ve already got,
what difference would it make to europe prospering, if crimea is with ukraine or russia? If anything, the crimeans may have more disposable income to import more goods from europe. I am not an economist nor a politician, so i haven’t a clue - i’m thinking about the people, in a very unstable region.* It’s not like a game at all. Russia holds most of the cards because the cards are called military strength, and natural resources. I realize Ireland has very little of both. But in the world, they are what matter.
as i pointed out in another post this is a response from a russian ukrainian living in ireland. So do we ignore the russian people that are indicating they are feeling threatened under the new government, which after a few days tried to ban russian as an official second language? The eu had to come and tell the new government there should be respect for minority groups, not a good start.
*a native of odessa in the south of the country who refused to give his name to protect the safety of his family, disagrees with ms kononenko. “putin definitely made the right decision by placing the military in crimea,” he said. “it will protect them from a civil war.”
this native russian speaker said he often felt alienated at home. “this is about the culture and history of russian speakers in ukraine,” he said. “they make russia out to be the enemy and so my family are now afraid. They worry about what will happen if they express their opinions freely.”* So, some crimean’s wish to be under russia’s wing, and some do not. Having a referendum while soldiers without insignia are occupying your lands. Well how could you defend that? As a further point, you seem to shine on what Vlad Putin is doing. As though either it’s not real, or somehow it doesn’t matter. Well as has been pointed out, the seizing of lands under any pretense is not going to be the way in this the 21st century. Eventually, either Russia does a course correction. Or, as many predict, Europe will be at war once again. Sadly, it may be left up to Russian Oligarch’s
atb
He topped our all time best action movie list. Certified GOLD medal Sochi.
You mean like this?
I can’t imagine how you can top that. 
