Eastern Europe/Ukraine

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 06 Apr 2014 08:05

And now Donetsk stirs!

Eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk rallies in favor of independence referendum
Published time: April 05, 2014
http://rt.com/news/ukraine-donetsk-rall ... endum-601/

At least 1,000 protesters have gathered in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, the industrial capital of the region, demanding that authorities respect their right for self-determination by allowing them to stage a Crimea-style referendum.

The rally was held in the city's central Lenin Square. Demonstrators held Russian flags and signs which read, “The Republic of Donetsk.”

The protesters called for a general all-Ukrainian strike and distributed leaflets declaring April 18 a referendum day.

"Today a referendum remains a sharp political and social issue in Donbass region. People do not leave squares and require to hold [a referendum]. The fight for a referendum is accompanied by protests against rising prices for gas, electricity and food. The socio-patriotic movement 'Eastern Front' offers trade unions to hold a general strike on April 18. The goal of the strike is to require that the authorities hold a referendum and introduce a moratorium on the increase of tariffs and utilities," said the leaflet, according to local media reports.

Residents then marched from the square to the city council building. Law enforcement officers in riot gear gathered near the building.

The protesters demanded that local authorities meet them at the location. According to reports, a group of city council deputies came out of the building.

Demonstrators wave Russian flags during a rally of pro-Russia supporters outside the regional government administration building in the center of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk during on April 5, 2014. (AFP Photo)

Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Referendum” and "Berkut,” as well as "Russia" and “Taruta (the new Donbass governor recently appointed by the Kiev government) needs to go!”

Earlier, the press service of the city council reported that authorities had not received any requests or notifications from social organizations or political parties about the Saturday rally.

Deputies of the city council, Igor Ponomarenko and Igor Sviridov, promised to meet residents at Lenin Square on Sunday, according to local media.

On March 1, Donetsk City Council made a decision to support the residents in their calls for a referendum. The deputies of the city council said that the decision on whether to hold a referendum is currently being considered by the court prosecutor, and the next hearing will take place on April 22.

On Friday, a group of people gathered at the German consulate in Donetsk to protest against what they say is German interference in Ukraine’s domestic affairs. They have signed a petition asking Berlin to stop meddling.

A demonstrator holds a flag with the portrait of deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych during a rally of pro-Russia supporters outside the regional government administration building in the center of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk during on April 5, 2014. (AFP Photo)

A demonstrator holds a flag with the portrait of deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych during a rally of pro-Russia supporters outside the regional government administration building in the center of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk during on April 5, 2014. (AFP Photo)

“We ask you to convey to the leadership of your country our request of non-interference in Ukrainian internal affairs by Germany,” the petition reads.

“We ask you, based on Germany’s international authority, to warn other countries from this, not to enkindle war and not to support fascism in Ukraine,” said the people’s statement, as quoted by local media.

After President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted by an armed coup in February, the Donbass region has been gripped by protests against Kiev’s coup-imposed government. Thousands of demonstrators have been demanding to hold a referendum to decide on the future of the region – just like in Crimea, which refused to recognize the country's new authorities.

The Republic of Crimea declared its independence from Ukraine following the March 16 referendum, in which 96.77 percent of the voters chose to rejoin Russia. Despite calls to boycott the vote and provocation attempts, 83.1 percent of Crimeans took part in the poll.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 06 Apr 2014 18:31

Analysts believe that for the next several decades, the Americans will be unable to replace Gazprom as Europe’s key gas supplier.

Does U.S. natural gas pose a threat to Russia?

U.S. President Barack Obama is ready to allow exports of gas to Europe in order to free it from dependence on Russian gas. However, experts agree that this is a bold but not particularly realistic statement. At least for the next several decades, the Americans will be unable to replace Gazprom as Europe’s key gas supplier.

"We are ready to authorize the export of as much natural gas each day as Europe uses each day," U.S. President Barack Obama said at a news conference on March 26 following the U.S.-EU summit in Brussels.

Speaking of possible new sanctions against Russia over the events in Ukraine, Obama said that the EU and the U.S. should focus on energy. "Europe needs to look at how it can further diversify its energy sources," he stressed.

This is a bold statement, according to Sergei Vakhrameyev, an industry expert with the investment company Ankorinvest. But there are a lot of buts here that indicate that Obama's threat cannot be put into action at least for the next several decades.

Terminals to be built first

In order to export gas overseas, in addition to liberalizing gas exports, the U.S. needs to build LNG terminals. Since 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy has approved only six applications for the construction of export LNG terminals, with the seventh approval coming at the end of March. Among those terminals approved are a Cheniere Energy Partners terminal in Louisiana and a Freeport terminal in Texas. Meanwhile, 25 more projects have still not received the go-ahead.

However, even the approved terminals have to be built first. The first LNG export terminal will be completed no sooner than the end of 2015, which means that the first export deliveries of U.S. gas cannot start earlier than 2016. The construction projects that have already received approval will be completed by 2020, with projects beyond that date not having been approved yet.

The total capacity of the approved terminals that will be commissioned between 2016 and 2020 is 118 billion cubic meters of gas.

However, even if the U.S. were to supply the total amount of 118 billion cubic meters of gas directly to Europe, European countries would still be unable to give up Russian gas. In 2013, Russia supplied some 135 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe (excluding Turkey), according to Sergei Vakhrameyev. "It is impossible to give up such an amount overnight," he pointed out. Not to mention that the prospects of U.S. gas entering the European market are still quite remote.

Besides, the anticipated amount will not be allowed to be exported in its entirety since it may not leave the U.S. with enough gas for domestic consumption.

"Before 2012, the U.S. was experiencing a shortage of gas, although this shortage was constantly diminishing. By 2013, it had a surplus, though not a large one, so it is not yet clear how much gas it will be possible to supply to the European market," said Rustam Tankayev, managing director of the company Info-TEK-Terminal and a leading expert with the Russian Union of Oil and Gas Producers, in comments to news portal Vesti.ru.

Would traders agree?

Another problem is that initially the U.S. planned to supply its gas not to Europe but to the more profitable Asian markets.

"Traders can supply this gas anywhere. However, the market is such that in Asia gas prices are considerably higher. Besides, traders are the most pragmatic market players. It is not clear how they
could be made to sell gas at cheaper prices (say, to Europe)," said Sergei Vakhrameyev.

According to him, in Asia the price of gas is $15 per million British thermal units (BTU), in Europe, slightly under $12. The difference of $3 translates into about $100 per thousand cubic meters. That is to say that 1,000 cubic meters of gas in Asia costs at least $100 more than in Europe, and in some cases even more than that.

"It may happen that first U.S. gas will go to Asia and when prices there go down (because of excessive supply), they may start deliveries to Europe," suggested Vakhrameyev. In other words, the (partial) replacement of Russian gas in Europe with American gas is, one way or another, pushed back by many years.

Europe is not ready to receive U.S. gas

Even if the U.S. manages, by some miracle, to resolve all of its domestic difficulties with LNG supplies to Europe, it will have to deal with another one, that of the lack of a ready-made infrastructure there. This problem is particularly acute in Eastern Europe, which is most dependent on Russian gas. For instance, Lithuania relies on Russia for 100 percent of its gas supplies.

"The U.S. can supply gas to West European countries, for example Spain, the UK, and France, because there are LNG terminals there, whereas supplies to Eastern Europe are impossible because of infrastructure limitations. There are no LNG terminals for receiving American gas there and no capability to redirect American gas via a gas pipeline from Western to Eastern Europe. All gas flows go from east to west," Vakhrameyev explained.

Furthermore, European countries have 20-year-long contracts with Gazprom. "What are they going to do with those? Break them?" Vakhrameyev wondered. Of course, Europe's dependency on Russian gas will be gradually reduced over time, but very slowly, he concluded.

First published in Russian by Vzglyad.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 07 Apr 2014 09:01

NATO wants to emulate the 3 Musketeere's spirit, "all for one,one for all",but in reality behave like the
"3 Mouseketeers","none for all,all for none"!

Nato chief calls for spirit of The Three Musketeers to counter Russia’s ‘illegal aggression’
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 42495.html

Nato countries must spend money bolstering their armed forces to counter the threat posed by Russia - and risk turning back the clock to the days of the Cold War, according to the alliance’s Secretary-General.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen invoked the spirit of Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers as he urged Nato’s members to make their motto “all for one, one for all” in the face Moscow’s “illegal aggression” in Ukraine.

In Ukraine, there was growing concern that Russia could intervene in the east of the country following its annexation of Crimea. Pro-Moscow crowds seized government buildings in three cities on Sunday and called for the region to succeed and join Russia.

Mr Rasmussen, writing in The Daily Telegraph, said: “Today’s crisis shows that defence matters as much as ever. So every ally needs to invest the necessary resources in the right capabilities.

“That means modern equipment, intensive training for our forces, and closer cooperation among Nato allies and with our partners. I know how challenging this is in today’s economic climate, but the security climate makes it vital.

“In the long run, a lack of security would be more costly than investing now and we owe it to our forces, and to broader society. We all benefit from Nato’s protection; we all must be able to contribute to it. The alliance has kept us safe for 65 years. The bond between the democracies of North America and Europe remains the bedrock of our collective security.”

The world is still a dangerous place with new threats such as cyber attacks, but others were age-old -- “attempts to redraw borders by force”.

“What has not changed is Nato’s commitment to our fundamental values and purpose. Our motto remains: all for one, one for all,” Mr Rasmussen said.

“Nobody in Nato wants a return to the Cold War, but we see the Kremlin trying to turn back the clock and carve up Europe into new spheres of influence.

“We must stand up for our values, on which we have built a new and better Europe, and for the system of international rules that has underpinned prosperity and predictability.”

Nato’s actual motto is “Animus in Consulendo Liber”, which is difficult to translate into English. Nato’s website suggests “in discussion, a free mind” or “Man's mind ranges unrestrained in counsel”.

However,in Eastern Ukraine,the Russian flag has been raised by demonstrators calling for more autonomy and now wanting to be in the EU or NATO.

Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russia protests spread in east as crowds of demonstrators storm government buildings

Lina Kushch , Thomas Grove
Sunday 06 April 2014

In Donetsk, 50 miles west of the Russian border, a large group of people, including many in masks carrying sticks and stones, surged into the provincial government building and smashed windows.

The protesters stormed regional government buildings in the industrial hub of Donetsk and security service offices in nearby Luhansk, waving Russian flags and demanding a Crimea-style referendum on joining Russia.

Protesters later seized the regional administrative building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, the Interfax news agency reported. All three cities lie close to Ukraine’s border with Russia.

The Interior Minister, Arsen Avakov, vowed to restore order in eastern Ukraine without using violence and accused Ukraine’s ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, whose political base was in Donetsk, of conspiring with Mr Putin to fuel tensions.

“Putin and Yanukovych ordered and paid for the latest wave of separatist disorder in the east of the country. The people who have gathered are not many but they are very aggressive,” Mr Avakov said.

“The situation will come back under control without bloodshed. That is the order to law enforcement officers. But no one will peacefully tolerate the lawlessness of provocateurs.”

Acting President Oleksander Turchynov called an emergency meeting of security chiefs in Kiev, the parliamentary press service said.

Mainly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine has seen a sharp rise in tensions since Mr Yanukovych was overthrown in February and the advent of an interim government in Kiev that backs closer ties with the European Union. Russia has branded the new government illegitimate and has annexed Ukraine’s Crimea region, citing threats to its Russian-speaking majority.

Around 1,500 people protested in Donetsk yesterday before breaking into the regional administration building, where they hung a Russian flag from a balcony, a Reuters witness said. Protesters outside cheered and chanted: “Russia! Russia!”

In the Luhansk protest, three people were reportedly injured. “We don’t want to join the EU, we don’t want to join Nato. We want our children to live in peace,” an unnamed woman told Ukraine’s Channel Five.

Talking to the crowd over a loudspeaker, protest leaders in Donetsk said they wanted regional politicians to convene an emergency meeting to discuss a vote on joining Russia like the one in the Crimea region.

“Deputies of the regional council should convene and take the decision to carry out a referendum,” one of the protest leaders said, without identifying himself.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Apr 2014 09:26

Russian Gazprom may convert settlements from US dollars to euros

vijaykarthik · Post by **vijaykarthik** » 07 Apr 2014 14:31

More signs of trouble:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/ ... me=topNews
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928#

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 07 Apr 2014 16:24

Breaking on CNN >> Self-proclaimed legislature in Donetsk, east Ukraine, asks Russia for peacekeepers, Russian state-run ITAR-Tass reports.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 07 Apr 2014 16:26

Russia trying to 'dismember' Ukraine through protests, Kiev says
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/07/world ... index.html

A self-proclaimed legislature in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk -- where protesters seized a regional administrative building Sunday -- has asked Russia's president to send a "temporary peacekeeping contingent," Russian state-run news agency ITAR-Tass reported Monday. The group, representing what it calls the Donetsk People's Republic, also said that it will hold a referendum by May 11 to decide whether the area should join Russia, ITAR-Tass reported.

Pro-Russian protesters have seized state buildings in several east Ukrainian cities, prompting accusations from Kiev that Moscow is trying to "dismember" the country.

The protesters broke into a regional administrative building in the mining city of Donetsk on Sunday as well as security services offices in nearby Luhansk, where police said they had seized weapons.

Protesters also seized the regional administrative building in Kharkov. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, in the city, said on his Facebook page Monday that the building had been cleared and that public employees had returned to work.

All three cities lie close to Ukraine's border with Russia.

"It is absolutely clear that there is a realization of anti-Ukrainian, anti-Donetsk, anti-Luhansk and anti-Kharkov plans to destabilize the situation. The plan is (for) foreign troops to cross the border and seize the territory of the country," Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said. "We will not allow it."

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 07 Apr 2014 21:13

sounds like to save the poor people of eastern ukraine from kiev stormtroopers, the russian army will have to reluctantly step in as peacekeepers

"the will of the people must be respected" ... isnt that exactly what america is trying to spread

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 07 Apr 2014 21:36

Two can play the game. The yanks thought, that they could over throw a democratically elected government. Without the people reacting to the coup.

They did not count on the patriotic people's of eastern Ukraine.

I fully support the right of self determination through the ballot. If they chose to merge with Russian federation.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Apr 2014 21:38

Russia wont step in for sure thats 100 % Guaranteed ...the current game is to get Ukraine into a Federal type constitution for Ukraine

Keeping East and North in Ukraine is also a long term deterrent for any future plans to join NATO

Rallies in eastern Ukraine prove its gov't needs to consider federalization - Russian FM
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_04_0 ... y-11-7830/

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 07 Apr 2014 21:41

what is kosher in kiev is not kosher in Donetsk.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Apr 2014 21:47

Virupaksha wrote: what is kosher in kiev is not kosher in Donetsk.

Eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk is Different From Crimea – Russian Lawmaker

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Apr 2014 21:52

The advantage Crimea was it had Black Sea Fleet with many thousand Russian Military Personal deployed , so all they had to do was move out of their base and walk on the streets of Crimea.

Crimea also had a far greater Russian support base and was always part of Russia before it was gifted to Ukraine.

Strategically ( Military ) and Economically Crimea was critical to Russia.

To take over Donetsk the Russian Army would have to cross over the International border of Ukraine and fight it out .....support base is moderate and this can be a long term insurgency for them in line of Iraq war for American.

Economically and Geopolitically its just too much too chew with little justification.

I mean if all you need is 3000 Russian Supporter take over administrative building and ask putin for help then you can well do that in all CIS republic ,Moldova and may be even in US or even my native Goa

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 07 Apr 2014 22:00

maldives was overthrown by 76 strong terrorist unit in 1980s.

How many "protestors" were in kiev during this western revolution?

anmol · Post by **anmol** » 07 Apr 2014 22:17

www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/201 ... putin.html

Pussy Riot is Bigger Than Putin
by Eleanor Clift, thedailybeast.com
April 5th 2014
Members of the imprisoned Russian punk band are using their star power to shine a light on the plight of political prisoners.

Two young Russian women from the Pussy Riot punk group took turns reading from a Call to Action they wrote to commemorate what they learned as political prisoners, and to inspire others to join them in their advocacy. “Don’t be indifferent, be inspired and create,” Nadya Tolokonnikov began, recalling the little things the women noticed during the time they spent in prison. “A crack in the ceiling,” she said, “look around, pay attention to key incidences, sometimes they are signs your destiny is calling.”

“Revolution begins with a single person,” continued Masha Alekhina, who spoke of the women she saw in prison and her hope that their stories “will not remain in obscurity. I hope that together we will change prison,” she said.

Masha Gessen, author of “Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot,” introduced Tolokonnikova and Alekhina Saturday at the Women in the World Summit. The two women were college students when they entered a cathedral and appealed to the virgin to oust Russian President Putin. The prank landed them in prison where they held hunger strikes and had to be hospitalized. When they were released after eighteen months, they were no longer college students but “seasoned political prisoners,” said Gessen.

Pussy Riot is now a call to action for women everywhere, and for all the many causes under the banner of equal rights and social justice. Members of the group were beaten during an incident in Sochi when the eyes of the world were on Russia, and they have since been using their star power to address the issue of prisoners’ rights, launching campaigns for individual prisoners that have “kept the pussy riot flame burning,” said Gessen.

Speaking in careful, practiced English, and in rhythmic cadences, the Call to Action recited by these two heroic women took on the aura of poetry. Tolokonnikova said she couldn’t understand how her country, one of the first to give women rights in 1917, is now 65th “next to Kazakstan and Belarus.” She noted that there are “not as many women politicians in the U.S. as we would like,” adding that it is “our place to show women are brilliant and talented as politicians,” a remark that drew applause and cheers from the women delegates in the theater at Lincoln Center.

“Politicians are simply government workers and they work for you,” Tolokonnikova continued, to more cheers. “You are the people who hired them and you have the right and moral responsibility to control and direct their activities.”

Picking up the refrain, Alekhina said, “To be moderate and restrained is not always the correct choice.” She urged everyone to heed the voice within that urges action.

Challenging a government whose politics you disagree with is an easier task in a democracy than it is in Putin’s Russia, where these young women learned the hard way that Putin’s crackdown on protestors would not spare artists and mothers like themselves. But Putin also learned something about Pussy Riot: that they won’t back down. After being released from prison, members of the group appeared in open defiance in Sochi, where they were detained and beaten by police guards acting on Putin’s orders.

“Anyone can be Pussy Riot,” Tolokonnikova exhorted, as voices in the audience picked up the chant.

“For your and our freedom,” Alekhina chimed in while Tina Brown, founder and creator of Women in the World, took the stage amidst the cheers and whoops and high energy of the crowd. “That’s a great call to action,” Brown said, beaming. “But no one can be Pussy Riot but you.”

anmol · Post by **anmol** » 07 Apr 2014 22:22

Hillary Blasts Putin
by Eleanor Clift, thedailybeast.com
April 3rd 2014

[..]

But before moving on to those issues, both made pointed remarks on the crisis in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir "Putin is motivated by the past, to recreate it, reclaim it, restore the proper place of Russia in the world order,” Clinton said. "I believe over the long run this is a losing strategy, but U.S. and allies have to be both strong and patient. Part of our problem is we are a raucous democracy. But we have to say no to somebody like Putin in a smart way."

Lagarde pledged ongoing support for Ukraine from the IMF, warning too that ”we expect the Ukranian people to take their crisis in hand.” Lagarde also said she believes the United States could do more to help the IMF deal with the crisis.

[..]

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 07 Apr 2014 23:09

dna ‏@dna 10m

United States warns Russia against 'overt or covert' action in Ukraine http://dnai.in/c9sG

But where is the red line hanji??? How will Russian know where to stop?

anmol · Post by **anmol** » 07 Apr 2014 23:48

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 08 Apr 2014 00:15

If he believes that he sure needs strobe to remove the disconnect.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 08 Apr 2014 01:23

As explained and predicted by UBCNews:

U.S. President Barack Obama is ready to allow exports of gas to Europe in order to free it from dependence on Russian gas.

And they are talking of building terminals to export the gas. Like JFK's Berlin Air Bridge : BO's Kiev Gas Bridge.

Я Котлета по-київськи

panduranghari · Post by **panduranghari** » 08 Apr 2014 01:46

Too energy and capital intensive. They are short of both. US gas stores are the lowest they have ever been. What will they export? Ombaba's farts?

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 08 Apr 2014 03:32

The Ukraine as we have seen in the past is all but gone. Putin is not leaving any stone to enrage the west into some action.

chanakyaa · Post by **chanakyaa** » 08 Apr 2014 04:35

Does Dr. Pootin want to split Ukraine before it's May 23 election? Benefit from the lack of leadership in Kiev?

Separately the quick, regional referendum business is very interesting..
1. Can Baluchistan be made into regional referendum to join India?
2. Can a Middle East country be bribed into a referendum to join west?
3. Can a referendum create Tibet? And then Join India?

member_28502 · Post by **member_28502** » 08 Apr 2014 04:59

All Putin is doing is exporting his color revolution just as Khan saab did.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 08 Apr 2014 06:46

the quick, regional referendum business is very interesting..

Don't mention this even in jest. The referendum is interesting only if there are 100,000 couriers waiting, dressed up in Balaclavas and camos, ready to bring in gifts of vodka.

Can you imagine the Forces of MMS getting orders to liberate anyone? Tibet?

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 08 Apr 2014 06:58

What's "sauce for the goose is sauce for the Kiev chicken"! The Euro-Peons and Yanquis,after grabbing through orchestrated protests much of the eastern European nations after the CW,reneging on their promises,cannot have it both ways,as their crumbling puppet regimes disintegrate under the one-sided economic policies of the EU,which reward only the chosen few,crony capitalism at its worst. The Ukranians who didn't want to join the EU were press-ganged into it by an illegal govt. that gained power through the Maidan putsch using thuggery and violence.

The immediate anti-Russian policies swiftly saw the Crimea disappear from the Ukraine,as if in a flash,brilliantly worked by Grand Master Putin,whose chessboard is the globe,and we are now witnessing the second phase of the breakup of the Ukraine as the eastern regions now assert their voice,fully confident that they will ultimately be victorious due to their ethnic majority and the impotence of the EU and US. The inevitable ill happen,the only issue being in what manner of style!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/a ... ce-donetsk
Ukraine crisis escalates as pro-Russia activists declare independence in Donetsk
Protesters who have seized government building in eastern city vow to hold referendum, sparking fears of 'second Crimea'

And also Kharkov.
http://rt.com/news/kharkov-clashes-ukra ... dence-993/
Clashes erupt as Kharkov protesters declare independence
Published time: April 07, 2014

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 44769.html
Ukraine crisis: President Turchynov accuses Kremlin of creating uprising in east to justify new invasion
But what can Pres."Trick-Enough" do do hold the country together? The putsch by the Kiev chicken clique has spectacularly failed and the economic plight of the Ukranians is grave.Without the IMF bailout-that too under the most severe austerity measures and doubling of gas prices, due to Russia removing sale of subsidised gas to Ukraine,might spark off genuine protests in the near future,the country would simply collapse.

The "Middle Game" of the Ukraine match has begun.

PS:Don't denigrate our "Loin of the Punjab...sorry Assam".He has just liberated himself by making plans to move to a salubrious 3.5 acre animal sanctuary in the capital even before his term ends!

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 08 Apr 2014 07:10

This is bad. I read sometime back that the UkBabzis tried sending their Special Forces rushing to the Russian border across Donetsk, but the people of Donetsk surrounded them and "persuaded" them to return to Kiev. They apparently told them that they did not want a war on their land. Interesting situation, where civilians can just tell a military force to go back where they came from.

Now Arsenic and her neoNazi gang will get desperate. I don't see how they can allow the area east of the Dneiper to just secede. People are going to get hurt in Donetsk.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 08 Apr 2014 07:47

BeJeezuz! Strobe Talbot sure needs a "strobe light" and microscope up his nether end to look for his pea-brain and see if it is working order.His loud and wild windbreaking is simply hysterical.The Kremlin masterminds must be rolling over in laughter to see how far US diplomacy and intellectual thought has fallen.Kissinger too must be muttering "Mein Gott!"

Here's a sober assessment of the situ and the failing Western ability to orchestrate Ukrainian events.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/com ... 45005.html
James Sherr
Tuesday 8 April 2014
The power of Kiev and the West is sinking fast in uncharted waters

If an interim report card is needed on the Ukraine crisis, yesterday’s proclamation of a Donetsk People’s Republic will suffice. The weekend’s events reveal four unpalatable truths.
First, they show that the authorities in Kiev do not control the country’s territory. This is not because eastern and southern regions have risen up against an ‘illegitimate’ government, but because a still disorientated government is failing to gain the upper hand over an externally led insurgency. Penetration by Russian agents (and finance) has rendered local police and security services largely unfit for purpose. Years of lucrative collaboration between criminal structures, the Yanukovych ‘family’ and Russian security services have eroded the networks of administration. Ukraine’s Border Guard Service now turns away 400 Russian ‘tourists’ daily.

At the same time, local attitudes belie Moscow’s description. According to a poll taken in December, only 8.9 per cent of residents supported amalgamation with Russia, 9 per cent of residents in the east favoured an independent state, and only 23 per cent favoured federalisation. A March 2014 poll is less conclusive, but supports other evidence that views about Russia are worsening.

Second, the weekend’s drama is a reminder that while the West focuses on the forces deployed on Ukraine’s borders, Russia has been invading the country by stealth. Russia has built up an impressive regional intervention capability. But it is two capabilities in one: visible and covert. To Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic states, this is not news. But it is in much of Nato.

Third, the events show that neither Western sanctions nor diplomacy have managed to arrest Moscow’s efforts to render Ukraine ungovernable. If elections cannot take place in Donetsk, Kharkiv or Luhansk on 25 May, they will not be national elections. An ‘illegitimate’ government will therefore have no means of legitimising itself.

Fourth, they reinforce that we are entering uncharted waters. For 22 years, Russia has openly linked its own security with the limited sovereignty of its neighbours and has designated its ‘compatriots’ abroad an ‘instrument’ of policy. But annexation sets a new precedent, and Putin’s desire to restore ‘historic Russia’ opens a new chapter, particularly for those with Crimeas of their own.

The judgement of Russia’s impressive expert community is telling. Some believe the West’s response too hesitant and inconsistent to deflect Putin from his course. Others believe that, whatever the West’s response, he will ‘refuse to lose’.

James Sherr is an Associate Fellow of Chatham House and the author of ‘Hard Diplomacy and Soft Coercion’

This is only adding to the crisis,and if Russia pulls the plug and stops supplies unless bills are paid in full and new supplies at new rates,the Ukraine is up the creek,without a paddle,boat leaking like a sieve, and heading for a huge waterfall.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/a ... es-russian

Fears of gas war as Ukraine refuses to pay increased prices set by Russian firm
Dispute comes as tensions in eastern Ukraine remain high, with pro-Russian protesters storming government buildings

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 08 Apr 2014 09:41

Moscow warns Kiev clique against using US mercenaries in eastern regions.
It could be great fun if US mercenaries were caught and held prisoner in the Ukraine by pro-Russian activists!

Moscow warns Kiev against using military, mercenaries in southeastern Ukraine
http://rt.com/news/ukraine-military-mer ... ildup-013/

The Russian Foreign Ministry has voiced concerns over the buildup of Ukrainian forces and US mercenaries in the southeastern part of the country, calling on Kiev to immediately cease military preparations which could lead to a civil war.

As parts of Ukraine push for greater autonomy – with Donetsk and Kharkov declaring independence on Monday – the self-imposed government in Kiev is reportedly dispatching additional forces in turbulent regions to avoid potential disobedience by local law enforcements.

“We are particularly concerned that the operation involves some 150 American mercenaries from a private company Greystone Ltd., dressed in the uniform of the [Ukrainian] special task police unit Sokol,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “Organizers and participants of such incitement are assuming a huge responsibility for threatening upon the rights, freedoms and lives of Ukrainian citizens as well as the stability of Ukraine.”

Ukraine's acting interior minister, Arsen Avakov, confirmed that additional police special forces units have arrived in southern and eastern parts of Ukraine from other regions.

“These special forces are ready to solve operational problems without the regard to local peculiarities,” Ukraine's Interior Ministry quoted Avakov as saying. “I urge all the hotheads now to defer from criticism and panic, and help the police keep the situation under control.”

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, special forces backed by militants from the Right Sector are being tasked with suppressing protests in the southeastern regions of Ukraine, which for weeks have been calling for a referendums on the regions' statuses within Ukraine. Moscow called on the government in Kiev to refrain from actions that could spark a civil war in Ukraine.

“We urge [Kiev] to immediately stop all military preparations which could lead to a civil war,” the statement reads.

On Monday, a source in the Interior Ministry of Ukraine told Ria Novosti that three special forces units have been redeployed to the Donetsk and Lugansk regions to suppress anti-government protests. The source claims that they consist of Interior Forces units, the newly-formed National Guard, Right Sector radicals, and Blackwater (Greystone) mercenaries and Falcon units. LifeNews also reported seeing armed Titan special forces units in Donetsk.

The reports of Greystone Limited (an affiliate of Academi/Blackwater) operating in Ukraine remain unconfirmed.

In a separate press release on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that it is “closely watching what happens in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, in particular in the Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov regions.”

Moscow noted that without “real constitutional reform in Ukraine,” the “federalization” of the country, and the implementation of Russian as a second official language, long-term stabilization of the crisis is unlikely.

The ministry said that is time to stop “putting the blame on Russia, accusing [Moscow] of all the troubles in today's Ukraine.”

Instead, Moscow urged Kiev to answer the legitimate questions that people in Ukraine have for the self-imposed government.

“Ukrainian people want to get a clear answer from Kiev to all their questions. It's time to listen to these legal claims,” the Foreign Ministry said, accusing the Ukrainian government of acting “irresponsibly.”

At the same time, the ministry confirmed the Kremlin's commitment to kickstart a national Ukrainian dialogue to stop the crisis. Russia is trying to propose the federalization of Ukraine, where regions would have broader powers of autonomy - including the right to promote regional language minority rights.

Pro-Russian activists guard a barricade set at the Donetsk regional council office building on the eastern city of Donetsk on April 7, 2014. (AFP Photo)

Meanwhile, the US hinted that Moscow could be behind the unrest in eastern Ukraine. In a daily briefing, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki stated that during the phone conversation between US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, the US chief diplomat “noted the Ukrainian Government’s assertion that this appeared to be a carefully orchestrated campaign with Russian support.”

“He called on Russia to publicly disavow the activities of separatists, saboteurs, and provocateurs, calling for de-escalation and dialogue, and called on all parties to refrain from agitation in Ukraine. He made clear that any further Russian efforts to destabilize Ukraine will incur further costs for Russia, and the ministers all discussed convening direct talks within the next 10 days between Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the EU to try to de-escalate the tensions.”

The White House has also urged Russia to refrain from interfering in Ukraine. “We call on President Putin and his government to cease efforts to destabilize Ukraine,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

On Monday, a group of anti-coup activists seized government buildings in Ukraine's eastern cities of Donetsk and Kharkov, proclaiming the regions’ independence from Ukraine. Clashes between pro-independence demonstrators and security forces were also witnessed in Lugansk and Odessa.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Apr 2014 10:32

Any use of violence via mercenary will only alienate the Eastern part of Ukraine.

May be before the present regime vanishes by May they would do something like that they have nothing much to loose from here

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 08 Apr 2014 11:04

May be OT here, in case anyone is interested about shale oil boom in North America and protests by natives:
“We have been asking for consultations for three years now and nothing has happened. Instead they just put our people in jail.”
This is the plight of natives in first world countries, while NGOs from the same countries point fingers at others and even support violent Maoist movement in India. The moral keepers seem to have no idea about situation in north America while accusing others and spreading violence.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 08 Apr 2014 11:35

Reuters India ‏@ReutersIndia 1h

Russian foreign ministry calls on Kiev to immediately halt any military preparations in southeastern Ukraine that could lead to civil war.

The Associated Press ‏@AP 25m

Ukraine interior minister: Pro-Russia demonstrators driven out of building they seized; about 70 arrested: http://apne.ws/1mVeChh

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 08 Apr 2014 12:40

In the light of recent events, let me just eave this here - http://en.ria.ru/world/20140407/1890903 ... ogram.html

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 08 Apr 2014 12:57

ramana wrote:If he believes that he sure needs strobe to remove the disconnect.

Such a chootia! And mithaiwala was interlocuting with this idiot?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Apr 2014 13:22

Chechen terrorist leader Doku Umarov has been on the wanted list of Russia, the US and UN Security Council for organizing multiple terror acts, kidnapping, contract murder and other grievous crimes in the Russian Federation.

Internationally-wanted terrorist Doku Umarov and his gang ‘neutralized’ – FSB chief

At yesterdays FSB Conference a list of terror ops for 2013 was provided

Putin: 280 Fighters Killed, 82 Terror Related Crimes Thwarted in 2013
http://www.retwa.com/home.cfm?articleDate=29Mar2014

RUSSIA – President Putin said in an offiical awards ceremony of high ranking law enforcers on Friday that 280 NVF fighters had been killed and 82 “crimes of a terrorist nature,” including 13 terror attacks, had been thwarted in 2013. Of the 280 fighters killed, 48 of them were NVF heads (RIA Novosti). Published 12:22

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 08 Apr 2014 16:15

Daniel Sandford ‏@BBCDanielS 3h

NATO Sec Gen @AndersFoghR calls Russia to "pull back the 10s of 1000s of troops it has massed on Ukraine's borders" http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/opinions_108909.htm …

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 08 Apr 2014 16:54

Doku Umarov took over the Chechen jihadi leadership after Shamil Basayev was killed in a mine explosion in 2006. Pretty long innings for him, but the FSB managed to keep him bottled up and he could not do much during the winter olympics in Sochi next door to Chechnya.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 08 Apr 2014 17:46

Ukraine's acting interior minister, Arsen

Just out of curiosity, is the entire Ukrainian junta all related, like Pakistanis? Or they all Ars*s?

member_28502 · Post by **member_28502** » 08 Apr 2014 18:57

Dalmott indeed

Johann · Post by **Johann** » 08 Apr 2014 21:23

There's going to be some important impacts if Russia does actually send troops in to Eastern Ukraine when all of this dust settles.

- Whats left of Ukraine will quite possibly be on a NATO accession path, and there will be no Russian electorate to act as an anti-NATO lobby. This is certainly not what Moscow has ever wanted. Ukraine will be lost as a buffer.

- The Kremlin believes its mirror imaging Western use of 'Responsibility 2 Protect' rhetoric, and so its safe from any real blowback.

When the Soviets declared the 'Brezhnev Doctrine' and crushed the Prague Spring in 1968 after the Czechs dared to chose their own government the West did nothing but make feeble sounding statements. It turned into the beginning of the end of the Cold War. It split Marxists movement worldwide (the Soviets most effective secret weapon) alike nothing before. It convinced the Chinese Communist Party they had to make an opening to the Americans. It convinced the Romanians and North Koreans they needed to get further away from Moscow. The Brezhnev Doctrine dragged Moscow into Afghanistan which damaged even more of its relationships and escalated the global Cold War to a level it couldn't afford.

Putin's *only* friendly neighbors are Kazakhstan and Belarus - now they too must worry about the potential for Russian intervention with their sizeable Russian minorities should their relationships ever sour. They'll avoid antagonising him in the short term, but they will seek insurance policies.

NATO as an organisation was withering on the vine until recently - Europeans deployed to Afghanistan out of treaty obligation, but with no enthusiasm. Now everything is different.

The problem now will be that Europeans will expect a larger commitment than Obama is willing to make, particularly given the 'pivot to Asia' and the year-on-year defence budget cuts that have already started.

But even that might see some reversals. One interesting side effect is that NASA is now cutting space cooperation with Russia outside the ISS. This will almost certainly mean that the consistently underfunded Commercial Crew Program will now *have* to receive peak funding in order to give US astronauts a ride on the SpaceX Dragon or Dream-Chaser as an alternative to Soyuz. This is back to the situation of the 1970s with simultaneous cooperation and competition. Only appropriate since that is the exact era Putin is so nostalgic for. If the current climate continues the Americans could get the Europeans, the Japanese and the Canadians to pitch in as well. Good news for commercial space.

The only way Putin can avoid getting sucked into a competition he can not win is to leave Ukraine alone. It all depends on whether he's actually learned anything from the Soviet Cold War experience.