Tag: crimea

Tweets of the Day, Pay Attention To Who Accepts The Crimea Results edition.

These two tweets pretty much sum up my reaction…

Continue reading Tweets of the Day, Pay Attention To Who Accepts The Crimea Results edition.

The Russians want to take over Crimea? …*Inconceivable*!

Ace is quite correct (Original NJ article here):

I have no idea what [the National Journal’s Ron] Fournier is talking about here, as far as [Russia] invading Crimean making “no sense.” It is a standard goal of nations to hold militarily-advantageous ground, and a warm weather port is a classic example of such.

I certainly don’t wish to say Putin was justified to invade a country in order to play his Empire Games. But anyone who says that standard imperial behavior “makes no sense” ought to read a history book.

Or look at a map. Continue reading The Russians want to take over Crimea? …*Inconceivable*!

Crimeans to have Russian annexation referendum March 16th.

What do you call it when a vote is rigged even when it maybe didn’t even have to be?

Lawmakers in the embattled Crimean region of Ukraine decided Thursday to hold a referendum March 16 on whether Crimea should become part of Russia, a move likely to further ratchet up tensions.

“This is our response to the disorder and lawlessness in Kiev,” Sergei Shuvainikov, a member of the local Crimean legislature, said. “We will decide our future ourselves.”

The parliament in Crimea, which enjoys a degree of autonomy under current Ukrainian law, voted 78 with eight abstentions in favor of holding the referendum. Local voters will also be given the choice of deciding to remain part of Ukraine, but with enhanced local powers.

Continue reading Crimeans to have Russian annexation referendum March 16th.

And the setup of a Russian client state in Crimea continues apace.

Told you this would happen. Meet the new boss, taking orders from the old bosses:

The newly installed, pro-Russia prime minister of Crimea declared on Saturday that he had sole control over the military and the police in the disputed peninsula and he appealed to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia for help in safeguarding the region.

[snip]

In his statement Saturday, the Crimean prime minister, Sergei Aksyonov, said, “Understanding my responsibility for the life and safety of citizens, I appeal to the president of Russia, Vladimir V. Putin, for assistance in providing peace and tranquillity on the territory of the autonomous Republic of Crimea.”

Continue reading And the setup of a Russian client state in Crimea continues apace.

Russians setting up to take control of Crimea.

So much for good news coming out of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s interior ministry accused Russia of a “military invasion and occupation” on Friday, saying Russian troops have taken up positions around a coast guard base and two airports on its strategic Crimea peninsula.

Ukraine’s parliament sent an urgent plea to the U.N. Security Council for a meeting on the crisis and adopted a resolution demanding Russia halt actions it says are aimed at splitting Crimea from the rest of the country.

Continue reading Russians setting up to take control of Crimea.