Eastern Europe/Ukraine

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 30 Mar 2014 19:47

Federal Structure for Ukraine means like our Indian States are or is it something else ?

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 30 Mar 2014 20:09

How did India voted in General Assembly??? No details are known.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 30 Mar 2014 21:00

Narayana Rao wrote:How did India voted in General Assembly??? No details are known.

India Abstained in the voting along with China

I just read BRICS abstained from Voting on Ukraine resolution .... Russia ofcourse voted No besides few others.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 30 Mar 2014 21:02

Putin’s spokesman: dialogue with Merkel amidst Ukrainian crisis “worth its weight in gold”

BERLIN, March 30, /ITAR-TASS/. Contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a situation like the crisis around Ukraine are “worth their weight in gold,” Russian president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday in an interview with Germany’s public-service television broadcaster ZDF.

“Merkel’s role is rather big, taking into account the constructive and rather open relations with Vladimir Putin,” he said. “Since the very beginning of the crisis, the two [leaders\ have been maintaining constant dialogue, and such frequent contacts make it possible at least to bring their positions closer. In such acute situation, such contacts are worth their weight in gold. It is a secret to no one that the positions on the Ukrainian crisis are different but the dialogue is extremely useful and we hope this dialogue will be continued.”

Peskov characterized this dialogue as “constructive on the one hand, but rather difficult on the other hand.” Interaction between state figures, in his words, stems from the interests of their countries, since each of them seeks to defend the positions of his or her state.

When asked whether the Russian president was ready to meet with the German chancellor, Peskov noted, “We do not know as of yet.” “Previous plans provided for contacts in various formats, currently talks are underway at the expert level,” he said, adding that the Russian side wanted to continue the direct dialogue. “As it was said during a meeting with Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser, it is better to speak to each other than to speak about each other,” Peskov stressed.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 30 Mar 2014 21:07

Austin wrote:Federal Structure for Ukraine means like our Indian States are or is it something else ?

In India Central government has complete policy control over 100 items in the Union List, shared control of 52 items on the Concurrent list and all residual residual power is vested with the Centre. Add to that Article 356 and appointment of governors makes our central government quite powerful.

Under an extreme federal structure apart from defense, monetary and foreign policy rest all power can vest with the province/states.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 30 Mar 2014 21:49

What's sauce for the goose,is sauce for the gander!

http://rt.com/news/lavrov-crimea-ukraine-west-181/
Lavrov: If West accepts coup-appointed Kiev govt, it must accept a Russian Crimea
Published time: March 30, 2014

The West is inconsistent in not recognizing the Crimea referendum as legitimate, while recognizing the military coup in Kiev, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said. He accused the EU and US of duplicity and described sanctions as a “dead-end track.”

If the West accepts Kiev’s coup-appointed government then it must, in turn, accept the legitimacy of Crimea’s referendum to join with Russia, Lavrov said in an interview Sunday.

“Even if you put aside the issue of legitimacy where Maidan and Crimea are concerned (though I am convinced that the Kiev coup goes against the rule of law, while Crimea referendum was the will of the people, and to contest such an overwhelming number of votes in favor of joining Russia is impossible). From a diplomatic point of view, it doesn’t make sense to recognize what happened on Maidan as legitimate, while at the same time claiming what happened in Crimea is illegitimate," Lavrov told Irada Zeinalova, the host of the “Sunday Time” analytical program on Russia’s Channel One TV.

“If they are willing to accept the first event as legitimate, then surely they are obliged to acknowledge the second.”

Sanctions against Russia by Western states aren’t able to resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis. They resemble an attempt to express one’s insult in a decent manner, Sergey Lavrov said.

“Speaking of sanctions – that is the dead-end track,” Lavrov said. “There’s a feeling that our western partners have for a long time created conditions for 'tearing' Ukraine from Russia. When they understood they were wrong and made a mistake, by undertaking actions which undermined agreements reached following the collapse of the Soviet Union, they could not acknowledge that. The falsely understood feeling of pride hampered them from doing so. All of the sanctions we are witnessing now resemble an attempt to express one’s insult in a decent manner.”

Lavrov said he was concerned with reports that the EU might make a decision to give Schengen visas to Crimeans only at Ukrainian embassies and only on condition they submit a Ukrainian passport.

“This is unacceptable. This is the gravest violation of human rights,” Lavrov said. “People who live in Crimea and have chosen Russian citizenship have nothing to do with geopolitics. They want to live in the country which meets their cultural and linguistic demands, their so-called ‘genetic heritage.’ If the European Union does anything like that, I’m sure we will respond to it so that the EU understands the unacceptability of the gravest human rights violation.”

Russia’s Foreign Minister said he knew that some of the countries were pressurized into approving the UN General Assembly resolution on Ukraine.

“The pressure that was exerted [on UN member states] in connection with this resolution was the strongest,” Lavrov said. “We know that there have not only been requests to vote in favor of the resolution, which is clearly of a provocative nature. There might have been no threats, but there have been hints at possible consequences. Like the country which will not obey, will lose a certain loan or will have a certain official visit canceled.”

Moscow has information about the Ukrainian far-right movement Right Sector being behind the snipers shooting people on Maidan, Lavrov said.

“I cannot affirm with absolute determination, but there are a good deal of facts that point to this. Certainly, it is needed to recheck them. I hope that an investigation which current Ukrainian leaders announced will be finalized and will not be swept under the carpet," Lavrov said.

Lavrov said he was hoping for Russia’s European and US partners to urge Kiev get rid of the radical movements and to have all of the illegal weapons handed over to law enforcement agencies.

The Minister also criticized the West for duplicity and inconsistency in their statements over the situation in Ukraine.

“Inviting us to [engage in] dialogue and pledging to us their commitment to facilitate the stabilization of the situation, our partners are not being fully consistent, as simultaneously, speaking at international forums, including the UN General Assembly, they encourage very confrontational and quarrelsome statements, which border on insults and clearly do not promote the right atmosphere for normal dialogue. This ambivalence and duplicity is very obstructive.”

Contenders for the throne of the "pretender" in Kiev.From a chocolate oligarch-a "Willing Wanker",to a Darth Vader-like creature!

From Chocolate King to Darth Vader: Ukrainian presidential candidates submit their bids
Published time: March 30, 2014

http://rt.com/news/ukraine-presidential ... -bids-197/

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 30 Mar 2014 22:30

pankajs wrote:
Austin wrote:Federal Structure for Ukraine means like our Indian States are or is it something else ?
In India Central government has complete policy control over 100 items in the Union List, shared control of 52 items on the Concurrent list and all residual residual power is vested with the Centre. Add to that Article 356 and appointment of governors makes our central government quite powerful.

Under an extreme federal structure apart from defense, monetary and foreign policy rest all power can vest with the province/states.

Thanks , So there can be different types of Federal Structures.

I think the Russians Trust the Germans more in this dispute and Merkel and Putin share a good relation ......Merkel might be warry too that she might not want any destabilisation around the neighbourhood .....Compared to Americans who will not loose any thing in the bargain.

member_28502 · Post by **member_28502** » 30 Mar 2014 22:34

looks like Putin chickened out

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 30 Mar 2014 22:38

Nijalingappa wrote:looks like Putin chickened out

Why you think so ?

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 30 Mar 2014 22:42

I think the Russians Trust the Germans more in this dispute and Merkel and Putin share a good relation

Russo Prussian cordiality was the bedrock of Central Europe during Catherine's time. This led to Poland being sidelined and partitioned no less than three times. Germans have always been a trusted ally of the Russians in the pre-20th century era. Lot of Tsarist nobility was of german extraction.

Perhaps Putin wants those days to return again. He git what he wanted for now and wants to lower the temperature.

member_28502 · Post by **member_28502** » 30 Mar 2014 22:45

Panic calls to Om Baba
Asking him to remove the tag of regional power
Taking away from the table of annexing Eastern Ukraine
much more

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 30 Mar 2014 23:00

Both Obama and Putin has been calling each other quite frequently and most of the time it was Obama who has been calling .....talking to each other is not a sign of weakness its better than talking at each other.

On the regional power or superpower is irrelevant discussion ....no one confers such power you just know it .....Russia in conventional military sense is a regional power and nuclear sense a super power or what ever power hover one can attribute it to .... but you arnt going to fight a nuclear war to prove your point.

Annexing Eastern Ukraine is just a smoke ..... that would be Russia's Iraq war which 100's and 1000's of dead Russian Soldier and Ethinic Russian and today Putin basking in glory will easily turn into his greatest nightmare ......Eastern Ukraine is not Crimea and this would be long drawn guerrilla war .......even Annexing Crimea was a Geo Political Risk but it did pay off without loss of life and Crimea has its history ..... you cant justify Eastern or North Ukranian Annexation on any ground.

Keeping East and North Ukraine as part of Ukraine is a good long term deterrent for any government that comes to power in the future. If they annex it the rest will join NATO

Best bet of Russia is to keep what it got and negotiate a deal on Ukraine .........Crimea/Sevestapol City is an unexpected victory that came from no where just keep it and be happy.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 30 Mar 2014 23:11

Senate Intel chair: Crimea’s gone - CNN

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley on Sunday that the debate over the Crimean Peninsula is "done" and the region is now under Moscow's control.

"The Crimea is dominantly Russian, a referendum was passed. That, I think, has been done," Feinstein said on CNN's "State of the Union."

Feinstein's acknowledgment clashes sharply with multiple declarations from President Barack Obama and the United Nations that Russia's annexation of Crimea constitutes a violation of international law.

..
Feinstein, labeling herself a "student ... of Russian history,” said it’s plain to her how essential Crimea is to Russian interests. She mostly dismissed the continued outcries over its annexation as diplomatic posturing.

When pressed by Crowley, the California Democrat seemed unwilling to risk raising the stakes in the already testy geopolitical standoff and said she understood - even accepted - Russia's move to make Crimea part of the Russian Federation.

"You get the Crimea thing?" Crowley asked.

"I get the Crimea thing," Feinstein replied.

While Feinstein's statements stand in stark contrast to the administration's position, Russian officials continue to paint the Crimea episode as a done deal.

Ah! after letting out some collective steam and demonstrating to Ukraine the continued support of the US administration the signal to move on has been flashed. Now the Paris meeting of the Foreign ministers makes more sense.

Supratik · Post by **Supratik** » 30 Mar 2014 23:16

Russia is probably using Crimea annexation as a bargaining chip to ensure pre-coup situation in Ukraine failing which Russia should annex Russian parts of rest of Ukraine. Otherwise the West will try further tricks specially in the contentious Caucasus.

ShauryaT · Post by **ShauryaT** » 30 Mar 2014 23:20

Austin wrote:you cant justify Eastern or North Ukranian Annexation on any ground.

Depends. Ukraine's quest to join the EU, a prelude to joining NATO can be suitable grounds from a Russian perspective. If Ukraine is to be an economic and social bridge between the west and east then Russia needs credible assurance that any military alliances are off the table. The west has repeatedly belied to the Russians on this score with the Baltics and Slavs as recent betrayals. Russian interests stem from its nation-state interests , as the anchor state for the Orthodox people and its ethnicity. One really cannot ask these interests to be overlooked. In the zones, where there are overlaps with the west, there is bound to be friction, until the underlying causes are diluted or one over powers the other. There is really no other way out.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 31 Mar 2014 03:57

Russo Prussian cordiality

Helped by 20 million Russian and some umpteen million German ghosts, and the echoes of the guns of Kharkov and the Oder River crossing.
I hear that inside Deutschland, Frau Merkel's posturing on Ukraine has been slammed as being incredibly irresponsible warmongering. The German public wants no part of BO's grand posturing either.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 31 Mar 2014 07:02

Grand Master Putin with his "molniya" (blitzkrieg) civil/military operation in the Crimea,seizing it with barely a shot being fired,has by his decisive action caught the US and Euro-Peons not only on the back foot,as they celebrated their takeover of Kiev in an illegal putsch,but has widened the scope of Russian demands,in both stated and unstated measure,that the expansion of NATO to Russia's borders must cease forthwith,otherwise,Russia will exercise whatever has to be done to protect its legitimate interests.

Putin has called the West's bluff,and there is bugger all that they can do about it. There is no need for him to invade Ukraine and grab its "Russian" regions,he will get it across the table when the negotiations are over. Wicked white witches like Yulia Tomoshenko who wanted Russians "nuked",may lose to the "chocolate soldier" oligarch,aka "Willy the Wanker" in the coming elections.Ukraine is finished in its former territorial shape,it will have to hand over significant local authority to the Russian regions to remain intact.The West will make Ukranians remember with hardship through acute austerity measures every day ,that $18.5B has to repaid...with interest! If it does not toe Putin's line,then Ukranians can shiver in their skins cometh winter,as the gas at discounted prices will be shut off.heavyweight champ Klitschko was exceptionally wise to withdraw his nomination in the elections.There is a mad rush the link in an earlier post.to become "cock of Kiev".read the link in an earlier post.
Governing Ukraine after it has been chopped to size,will lose effective control over the Donbass and most productive regions in the east and north,and squeezed between east and west,is akin to a sentence in jail! "He who flees and runs away,lives to fight another day".The boxer is biding his time when whoever wins the Kiev cockfight ends up as "chicken-a-la-Kiev"!

symontk · Post by **symontk** » 31 Mar 2014 07:53

Paul wrote:
I think the Russians Trust the Germans more in this dispute and Merkel and Putin share a good relation
Russo Prussian cordiality was the bedrock of Central Europe during Catherine's time. This led to Poland being sidelined and partitioned no less than three times.

Bet on it. there will be some serious repercussions for Poland for its behavior towards Russia

vic · Post by **vic** » 31 Mar 2014 07:55

The worse fears of USA-UK-Saudi cabal is an economic alliance of Germany with Russia. It has a potential to change world order.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 31 Mar 2014 08:46

vic wrote:The worse fears of USA-UK-Saudi cabal is an economic alliance of Germany with Russia. It has a potential to change world order.

The other shoe would be China and India in Asia.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 31 Mar 2014 08:58

Changing bedfellows? The Crimean gambit might be a catalysts for some intriguing partnerships.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/m ... syria-iran
Is America's relationship with Saudi Arabia broken beyond repair?
Barack Obama will use visit to Riyadh to reassure a kingdom unhappy at US appeasement of Iran and ambivalence over Syria

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 31 Mar 2014 12:30

American caricature from the 1870s showing Russia as the octopus out to subsume Europe. Interesting as to how the situation has remained the same for the most part.....also a testimony to Russian grit that they managed to retain their territories over the years. Perhaps that is what the west Europeans are all Jealous about.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 31 Mar 2014 12:56

The Russian solution for Ukraine
Russia sets terms for Ukraine deal as 40,000 troops mass on border

Russia on Sunday night repeated its demand that the US and its European partners accept its proposal that ethnic Russian regions of eastern and southern Ukraine be given extensive autonomous powers independent of Kiev as a condition for agreeing a diplomatic solution to the crisis over its annexation of Crimea.

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, told reporters Ukraine could not function as a "unified state" and should become a loose federation. He made the remarks after an inconclusive meeting with John Kerry, the US secretary of state, at the Russian ambassador's residence in Paris following a day in which tensions over Ukraine deepened appreciably. Lavrov called the talks "very, very constructive".

..
"Frankly speaking, we don't see any other way for the steady development of the Ukrainian state apart from as a federation," he added. Under the Russian plan, which Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin reportedly discussed in a phone call initiated by Moscow on Friday, each region would have control of its economy, taxes, culture, language, education and "external economic and cultural connections with neighbouring countries or regions", Lavrov said.

"Given the proportion of native Russians [in Ukraine], we propose this and we are sure there is no other way."

The Russian proposal to radically alter the way Ukraine is governed and administered is certain to arouse strong opposition in Kiev, where it will be viewed by critics of Moscow's intervention in Crimea as a roundabout way of breaking up or partitioning the country.
..
"We have absolutely no intention of, or interest in, crossing Ukraine's borders," Lavrov said. "We [Russia and the west] are getting closer in our positions." He said Moscow's terms for defusing the crisis, the worst between the west and Russia since the end of the cold war, also included a pledge by Kiev's government that Ukraine would not seek to join Nato.

The eastward expansion of Nato since the collapse of the Soviet Union was one of the main grievances Putin expressed in a speech in Moscow this month when Crimea joined the Russian Federation.

Lavrov said Russia remained determined to protect the rights of Russian speakers in eastern and southern Ukraine and implied that it reserved the right to take appropriate action if its proposals for a federation and other settlement terms were not accepted.

Supratik · Post by **Supratik** » 31 Mar 2014 15:28

Lessons for India in Pak and Bd.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 31 Mar 2014 17:17

Good Details on Russian Special Forces

Russian “Spetsnaz” Forces — from Saboteurs to Court Bailiffs

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 31 Mar 2014 17:34

Yx Paul for that lovely cartoon."A picture speaks a thousand words"!

Ukraine crisis: Ukraine does not work as ‘unified’ state warns Sergey Lavrov after talks with John Kerry break up .Talks fail

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 24264.html

The US and Russia failed to reach a deal on how to resolve the Crimean crisis after four hours of talks between Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

Mr Kerry said he had made clear to Mr Lavrov during the “frank” meeting that Moscow’s annexation of the Ukrainian territory was “illegal and illegitimate”.

Mr Lavrov, speaking separately, said Ukraine could not function as a “unified” state and should turn into a loose federation of regions instead with each able to choose their own official religion, language and economic policies.

The build-up of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine has prompted concern that they might invade, purportedly to protect the Russian-speaking population in the east of the country. The same reason was given when they moved into Crimea after the Moscow-leaning former President, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted.

Mr Kerry said he had raised “strong concerns” about the presence of Russian forces so close to Ukraine, which he said created a climate of fear and intimidation.

Mr Lavrov said the talks with Mr Kerry on Sunday night in Paris had been “very, very constructive”.
He said he and Kerry agreed to work with the Ukrainian government to improve rights for Russian-speaking Ukrainians and disarming “irregular forces and provocateurs”.

“We have agreed to work with the Ukrainian government and people to achieve progress in rights of minorities and linguistic rights,” he said, according to the Interfax news agency. He also said Russia and the United States had agreed it was necessary to seek “points of tangency” in order to reach a common position on the diplomatic resolution of the crisis.

Even as the diplomatic push got under way, several west European governments, including Britain, continued to express alarm about the Russian troop build-up and said they stood ready to deploy forces and equipment to eastern European members of Nato, notably the Baltic states, in case the situation should deteriorate further.

“Nobody should be in any doubt to our resolve to live up to our commitments under the Nato treaty,” Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, told the BBC, referring to the understanding that an attack on one Nato member would always be seen as an attack on all of them. “We are looking at opportunities to increase participation in planned Nato exercises as another way of reassuring our Nato allies.”
Read more: Putin 'wants to regain Finland' for Russia
'Russia threatened countries ahead of vote'
Putin calls Obama as Russia positions troops along border
Obama warns Russia 'must pull back troops' from Ukraine border

The Paris meeting came after a surprise phone call late on Friday night from Russian President Vladimir Putin to President Barack Obama, the first time the two men had spoken directly since the imposition of financial and travel restrictions by the US and the European Union on Russia. While the interpretations of that conversation offered by the Kremlin and the White House diverged starkly, it offered some hope of a diplomatic end to the stand-off.

Before the talks, Mr Lavrov played down the sanctions. “I don’t want to say that sanctions are ridiculous and that we couldn’t care less, these are not pleasant things,” he told Russian television.

“We find little joy in that, but there are no painful sensations. We have lived through tougher times.” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, is greeted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Russian Ambassador's residence for a meeting to discuss Ukraine U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, is greeted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Russian Ambassador's residence for a meeting to discuss Ukraine

As part of any deal, the US would expect Russia to begin pulling back about 40,000 troops thought to have been deployed close to Ukraine, to disarm the militia that entered and took control of Crimea and to open talks with Ukraine. International observers would also be deployed inside Ukraine and Crimea to monitor tensions.

So far the US has said little publicly about the notion of turning Ukraine into a federation beyond saying that no constitutional changes could be imposed without the consent of its people.

But Mr Lavrov suggested that the US was not against the federal solution. “We can’t see any other way to ensure the stable development of Ukraine but to sign a federal agreement,” he said, adding that he understood the US was open to the idea.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 31 Mar 2014 17:37

Medvedev Announces Sweeping Crimea Development Plan

SIMFEROPOL, March 31 (RIA Novosti) - Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Crimea on Monday to announce an ambitious plan aimed at meeting the needs of the peninsula's citizens, just 10 days after its reunification with Russia.

"No citizen in Crimea or Sevastopol should lose anything following reunification with Russia. They should only benefit," Medvedev said.

"This is what people are waiting for - the creation of conditions for a calm and well-deserved life, confidence in the future and the feeling that they are part of a strong state," the prime minister added. "We should satisfy these expectations."

Medvedev proposed a sweeping development program to improve the lives of Crimea's residents, ranging from revamping the region's healthcare and education systems to boosting its ailing economy.

Medvedev announced that a ministry for Crimean affairs will be created in the Russian government to oversee the program, to be led by Oleg Savelyev, an official in the Economic Development Ministry.

Russia will designate Crimea as a special economic zone with tax breaks to attract investors, Medvedev said at the meeting in Crimea's capital, Simferopol.

The prime minister also called for an opening of Russian bank branches across the peninsula, adding that provisions to provide loans in rubles have already been taken.

Addressing development issues, Medvedev focused on social concerns, saying pensions in Crimea would be raised gradually until they reach the national level.

Medvedev confirmed Monday that an adequate supply of rubles has been made available to allow Crimeans to exchange all of their Ukrainian currency, which is to be phased out by the end of next year. He also vowed to protect private deposits at local banks, which total 90 billion rubles ($2.5 billion).

Last week, Crimea adopted the Russian ruble as an official currency, in addition to changing the region's time zone to Moscow time, symbolically finalizing the region's incorporation into Russia.

Speaking on measures to help alleviate the region's water shortage, Medvedev said one possibility would be the construction of a desalination plant to supply the region's two million residents with fresh water. He also promised upgrades of the peninsula's roads and other infrastructure.

Medvedev said last week Russian companies could double gas production in Crimea in the next few years in a bid to secure the energy independence of the region, which still depends heavily on Ukrainian utilities.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who has been tasked with taking charge of Crimean issues, earlier said that Russia was ready to deal with possible blackouts, adding that cuts in power by Ukraine would be unprofitable for that country's energy sector.

Medvedev called on government officials Monday to spend their summer holidays in Crimea, in a bid to increase tourist flows to the region, famous as a popular Soviet resort destination.

"I am sure that many of our citizens will see again the clean sea, unique nature and of course, hospitality of Crimeans," he said.

Crimea, previously an autonomous republic within Ukraine, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the government in Kiev which seized power as a result of a coup last month, instead rejoining Russia following a referendum on the issue.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 31 Mar 2014 21:58

"vic"]The worse fears of USA-UK-Saudi cabal is an economic alliance of Germany with Russia. It has a potential to change world order.The other shoe would be China and India in Asia.

Debate is already on: Germans Playing Smart Keeping Laddos in Both hands

siemens-ceo-rebuked-as-german-business-defends-putin-partnership

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s deputy chided Siemens AG (SIE) Chief Executive Officer Joe Kaeser for traveling to Moscow, saying German companies shouldn’t sell out European values to protect business with Russia. While the European Union and the U.S. seek to punish Russia for annexing Crimea, many German corporate leaders view Putin as an economic partner. “Frankly, I found the scene a bit off-key,” Economy and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, a Social Democrat who is also vice chancellor, said of Kaeser’s trip to Moscow in an interview with ARD television yesterday, according to an e-mailed transcript. “We don’t want economic sanctions, but we also have to show the Russian president that we can’t accept” his “imperial policy.”. While Merkel has said Germany could withstand the economic impact of European economic sanctions against Russia, the heads of Adidas AG (ADS), ThyssenKrupp AG (TKA) and Deutsche Post AG (DPW) questioned the need for sanctions, according to the transcript of a round-table interview with the Die Welt newspaper published two days ago. It showed the CEOs saying EU policy makers mishandled their engagement with Ukraine while affronting Russia.
Asked if Putin must be stopped, Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer said, “I’d turn the question around,” according to Die Welt. “I wonder if one shouldn’t have included Putin in the process much earlier, rather than starting talks when it’s too late.”
ThyssenKrupp CEO Heinrich Hiesinger said “Russia felt cornered.” Deutsche Post CEO Frank Appel said the U.S. and its allies had meddled “in the front yard of another big power” and questioned calls by EU leaders including Merkel to review Europe’s energy ties with Russia, saying Germany “will always be dependent on others” for fossil fuel, according to Die Welt. Kaeser said meeting with Putin showed that Munich-based Siemens, Europe’s biggest engineering company, “won’t be overly influenced by short-term turbulences” involving Russia. “We’re counting on dialogue and mutual understanding,” he said in a ZDF television interview after returning from his trip, which he said Merkel’s chancellery knew about in advance

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 31 Mar 2014 22:07

Europe’s dependence on Russian gas to remain in near future — German expert
http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/725938[quote]

BERLIN, March 31. /ITAR-TASS/. Europe cannot reduce energy dependence on supplies from Russia in the near future despite signals sent by Western leaders in the light of the Ukraine crisis, says Friedbert Pflueger, director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS).

In an article published by Germany's leading business and finance daily, Handelsblatt, on Monday, the expert said that while discussing the issue, “a very significant aspect” was usually overlooked.

“Diversifying gas supplies (to Europe) will only be possible by the end of this decade,” he said. “Besides, considering that Europe is running out of natural gas, Russian energy supplies will be in great demand in 2030 as well.”

Pflueger noted that US supplies of liquefied natural gas produced by hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, could be a theoretically possible alternative. But this was also connected with certain problems. Firstly, this kind of export would be mainly oriented towards Asian countries. Secondly, its price would not be as low as Europeans wanted due to its high production and shipping costs.

“Whether we want it or not, our energy dependence on Russia will still remain for a rather long time, even if we manage to slightly reduce it,” Pflueger said.

“EU strategy aimed at diversification of energy sources is right in terms of politics and economy,” he added. “However, it should be used with caution, avoiding populist decisions made in a hurry and taking into account the importance of Russian supplies for European enterprises and consumers that will remain for a long time.”[/quote]

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 01 Apr 2014 01:40

Secondly, its price would not be as low as Europeans wanted due to its high production and shipping costs.

See.. they still talk about what Oiropeans want, as if anyone cares. The German CEOs seem to have carried the chess game forward a few moves, to be bold enough to say

to the EU politicians. They can see that the Sanctions are intended to drive up the market price of gas, and force the Oiropeans to buy American gas no matter the cost. Meanwhile Asia will buy cheap Russian gas. The CEOs can see what that will do to their bottom lines. They are the intended victims, after all. Prices of Siemens solar panels and Smart Grid meters will either go up in the US, opening space for US competitors, or Siemens will be banned for breaking the Sanctions. Lose-Lose for Siemens. Unless they can open up vast Russian markets.

BTW, this demand for autonomy for all Ukrainian regions, is very interesting. Note that river traffic through the Dnieper to and from the Black Sea is now strictly at the pleasure of the Russians/Crimeans at DnieperPetrovsk. I would say a couple more referendums are on the cards..

ShauryaT · Post by **ShauryaT** » 01 Apr 2014 02:22

Paul wrote:American caricature from the 1870s showing Russia as the octopus out to subsume Europe. Interesting as to how the situation has remained the same for the most part.....also a testimony to Russian grit that they managed to retain their territories over the years. Perhaps that is what the west Europeans are all Jealous about.

So, this is where the Chinese got the metaphor from. They charge the US of being the Crab with claws, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia and India as its claws.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 01 Apr 2014 02:36

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAb39HMVAGE
Steven Seagal on U.S., Russia, and Ukraine

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 01 Apr 2014 03:56

Grover Clevland "Business of America is business!"

Europeans have only now realized that without wealth from business nothing is possible.

BTW Chanakya also said the same!!!

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 01 Apr 2014 05:50

ramana wrote:Grover Clevland "Business of America is business!"

Europeans have only now realized that without wealth from business nothing is possible.

BTW Chanakya also said the same!!!

I'm not quite sure that's right. they knew very well. but had to accept the destruction of political, financial, and human capital/labor depletion of WWII.

now they want to emerge from WWII shadow.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 01 Apr 2014 08:20

Austin,may tx. for the mail.AI issue v.good.V.good interview with Dr.P too. You should post xcpts. in the td.

The Euro-peons will soon start investing in the Crimean Spl. Economic Zone,mark my words. Gradually,commentators are writing off the Crimea...and Ukraine,saying who wants to go to war for "Chicken Kiev" (about all they know about the Ukraine),which they've eaten at M&S?! Britain anyway went to war with Argentina to recapture the Malvinas/Falklands,ostensibly to protect the rights of a few thousand sheepshaggers,......er,how many thousands of miles away from the British Isles?! One of these days-if they do it very soon, the Argies will simply sail in again successfully and this time,with the massive budget cuts,there will be hardly a few bumboats to stop them,until the QE class of carrier arrives and would the RN risk her being sunk if we provided the Argies with Brahmos!

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 01 Apr 2014 17:36

The man who headed Saudi Arabia’s intelligence service for 24 years talks to Edward Luce about equal rights for Saudi women, and which country has the best spies

Lunch with the FT: Prince Turki al-Faisal

Having drunk my coffee, I move back on to international affairs, asking what he thinks of Vladimir Putin’s incursion into Crimea? “I’m reminded of children’s stories,” Turki says. “The wolf is attacking a pack [sic] of sheep. It is gobbling up one of them and going about its business eating and the rest of the sheep are bleating.” At this point he mimics a sheep: “Baaaaaa baaaaaaaa.” There is a twinkle in his eye. “This is what is happening today. While the wolf is eating the sheep, there is no shepherd to come to the rescue of the pack. This is where we find ourselves today.”

But how should the west respond? I remind him that a few months ago he had criticised Obama for having set a red line on Syria’s use of chemical weapons and then failed to act on it. The line then turns pink and eventually white, Turki had added. The Obama administration had reacted testily to his words. “If you are going to set a red line, you must act on the red line,” Turki says now. “This is what Putin is very much a master of. He has kept quiet. You didn’t hear him roaring, or boasting, or anything like that. He is quiet. The rest of the world is going baaaaaaaa. It’s a terrible situation.” But what can the world reasonably do? Turki smiles. “You’re British, he says, “so you would remember the charge of the light brigade [the disastrous British cavalry charge against well-defended Russian forces during the Crimean war].”

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/9eb2ba0c ... z2vxwsOtPi

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 01 Apr 2014 18:10

what is the Saudi dog in the fight, one could say crimea is as much a part of Russia as Goa is to India.

What about Secularism in Saudi, when is he going to implement tthat?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 01 Apr 2014 19:18

Aditya_V wrote:what is the Saudi dog in the fight, one could say crimea is as much a part of Russia as Goa is to India.

What about Secularism in Saudi, when is he going to implement tthat?

Saudi is unhappy that Obama did not attached Syria and the deal for CW tradeoff was negotiated by Putin.

They are also unhappy that Obama is negotiating with Iran and for both instance Israel is unhappy too.

So they have their grudge and are using the opportunity for verbal assault on Obama

Funny thing is they are also collaborating with Russia to aid Egypt ....sissy

vic · Post by **vic** » 01 Apr 2014 19:35

I think that Russia should tell USA that if they act too clever then it will supply half dozen nukes to Iran and man pads to Hezbollah.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 01 Apr 2014 21:38

Chinese and Russian Defense Minister meet

Shoigu: RF grateful to China for its support in a situation of Moscow to the Crimea

Russian side grateful for China's support of Moscow's position in a situation with the Crimea, said Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during a bilateral meeting with Chinese counterpart Colonel General Chang Wanquan.

"We pay special attention to the implementation of the reached agreements at the highest level. Gratitude to the People's Republic of China for the support of Russia's position in relation to the Crimea. Thank you for understanding our steps in this situation," - said Shoigu.

He added that Russia and China are linked by relations of strategic partnership, which for many decades are friendly and constructive. "I believe that our meeting with you and contribute to the strengthening of mutually beneficial partnerships," - said the Russian minister.

In turn, the Ministry of Defense of China expressed concern about "duplicating the color revolutions in some regions of the world." He added that contacts the military departments of Russia and China are sustainable trusting nature, and the parties are willing to develop them further.

http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20140401/1002057658.html