TURMOIL IN THE UKRAINE / RUSSIA AGGRESSION

[BlueTiki]

I don't think Putin fears anyone or anything . . .

Well he knows we ain't gonna be building a wall.

Look at our Southern borders.

[HairOfTheDog]

UKRAINE GETS A NEW PRESIDENT?



Exit polls suggested candy tycoon Petro Poroshenko won Ukraine's presidential election in the first round Sunday, a ballot that took place amid weeks of fighting in eastern regions where pro-Russia separatists have seized government buildings and battled government troops.

The rebels had vowed to block the ballot in the east and less than 20 percent of the polling stations were open there. But nationwide, about 60 percent of the electorate turned out, the central elections commission said.

Poroshenko, viewing the exit polls as definitive evidence of victory, said his first steps as president would be to visit the eastern industrial region of Donbass — home to Ukraine's coal mines — and "put an end to war, chaos, crime and bring peace to the Ukrainian land."

Long lines of voters snaked around polling stations in Kiev, the pro-Western capital, but heavily armed pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine intimidated locals by smashing ballot boxes, shutting down polling centers and issuing threats.

The exit poll for Sunday's election, conducted by three respected Ukrainian survey agencies, found the 48-year-old candy tycoon Poroshenko getting 55.9 percent of the vote.

Poroshenko ducked the question whether he was prepared to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin but said Kiev would like to negotiate a new security treaty with Moscow.

At a distant second was former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko with 12.9 percent, the poll showed. Full results are expected Monday in the election that authorities in Kiev hope will be a critical step toward resolving Ukraine's protracted crisis.

Story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/25...89434.html
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Poroshenko has his work cut out for him -- hell of a situation under which to assume leadership of the country. I hope he's successful in achieving his goals and stabilizing the country.

He may have publicly ducked the question as to whether he'll work with Putin, but realistically, he certainly knows that's a job requirement and there's really no way he can represent the whole of Ukraine without effectively doing so, IMO.

[HairOfTheDog]

TURMOIL ESCALATES

Snip:

Local morgues were overflowing with bodies and rebel leaders said Tuesday that the death toll could rise up to 100.

The city of about 1 million was mostly quiet in the afternoon after an arson attack in the morning that torched a local hockey rink. Occasional gunfire was heard in the morning outside Donetsk airport.

The battles came as billionaire candy magnate Petro Poroshenko claimed victory in Sunday's presidential vote, which authorities in Kiev had hoped would unify the deeply divided nation. Poroshenko, who is yet to be sworn in, has vowed to negotiate a peaceful end to the insurgency in the east, but also has called the separatists "Somali pirates" and promised he would stop them from sowing more chaos.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/27...95693.html
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Hoping this is the storm before the calm and Ukraine isn't approaching a civil war.

[HairOfTheDog]

CEASE FIRE IN THE WORKS?

I hope these negotiations pan out and that the insurgent rebels in the east will be open to laying down their arms.

Poroshenko has said before that he wanted a cease-fire, but today was the first time he said government forces will be the first to halt hostilities, which has been Russia's main demand.

If Poroshenko and Putin can pull it off so quickly after Poroshenko's election and restore relative peace within and around Crimea, it'll be a victory for both of them. IMO.

Skeptical, but hopeful.

Story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/18...ostpopular

[HairOfTheDog]

So, the US announced more financial sanctions against Russia earlier this week, claiming that Putin and company were supplying eastern Ukraine's Russia Separatists with arms, equipment and support.

President Obama issued the sanctions without the level of EU support that he'd desired.

What a difference a few days makes. With the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 by what appears to be separatists armed and possibly trained by Mother Russia -- and the resulting loss of Dutch, British, German, and Belgian lives -- the US's claims appear to be carrying more weight within the European Union.

Now, Putin's nonchalance and denials in term of stoking the fires in eastern Ukraine are being challenged by many world leaders. His back's against the wall.

What to do? What do? Deflect, of course.


Today, Putin placed a Russia travel ban on a U.S. lawmaker (a senator who sponsored a bill banning the purchase of Russian-made helicopters) and 12 US officials connected with the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

There go all those Sochi vacation plans...

[HairOfTheDog]

TURMOIL IN THE UKRAINE CONVERTS TO SHORT TERM BUSINESS BOOST FOR U.S. GUN RETAILERS

Snip:
The Obama administration last week announced a new round of sanctions against Russia that it says are intended to discourage Russia from continuing to support rebel groups in eastern Ukraine. Companies blacklisted by the U.S. include Russian banks, energy firms and eight weapons manufacturers -- including Kalashnikov Concern, a maker of what is arguably the most popular weapon in the world, the AK-47.

The move sent American gun buyers into a frenzy, seeking to buy the AK-47s that are already for sale in the U.S.

Blaine Bunting, president of Maryland gun distributor Atlantic Firearms, said Tuesday that orders for their AK-47-style rifles and shotguns have "tripled, if not quadrupled" since Obama announced the sanctions.

"We have 15 employees here, and yesterday we started at 7:30 in the morning and didn't leave until eight at night," he said. After selling more than 400 Russian guns in just a couple days, Bunting said, Atlantic Firearms is sold out. Its website has a notice to buyers warning that the import ban may cause delayed shipping times:


An AK-47 is a gas-operated 7.62 caliber rifle. It was invented in 1947 by the Russian general Mikhail Kalashnikov for use in the Soviet Army, but later became popular partly because of its simplicity and reliability. AK-47s have been used throughout the world by national armies, revolutionaries, guerrillas and paramilitary groups, among others. There are believed to be about 100 million in circulation worldwide.

Full story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/24...r=Business

[HairOfTheDog]

HILLARY CLINTON WEIGHS-IN ON POST-MH17 SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA



"I think if there were any doubt it should be gone by now, that Vladimir Putin, certainly indirectly -- through his support of the insurgents in eastern Ukraine and the supply of advanced weapons and, frankly, the presence of Russian Special Forces and intelligence agents -- bears responsibility for what happened," she told CNN's Fareed Zakaria in an exclusive interview that will air Sunday.

Clinton's comments come just over a week since Flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 on board. Pro-Russian militants have been accused of downing the plane using Russia-supplied armaments and of interfering with the subsequent investigation at the crash site.

U.S. President Barack Obama last week called the crash a "wake-up call for Europe and the world that there are consequences to an escalating conflict in eastern Ukraine," a view Clinton echoed in urging Europe to go further.

"We have to up the sanctions that are required. The United States has continued to move forward on that, Europe has been reluctant," Clinton told. "They need to understand they must stand up to Vladimir Putin."

Her comments came as the Pentagon warned that Russia is preparing to transfer more powerful weaponry into Ukraine, a move it said could happen at any time.

Full piece: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/25/world/...?hpt=hp_t2

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Hillary doesn't like or trust Putin -- she doesn't mince any words there. She calls him arrogant and egotistical.

If he's still in power in 2016 and she runs and wins the US Presidency, I wonder if her candor about him as a person will be a plus or minus in terms of "re-setting" the relationship between the U.S. and Russia. Right now, I don't think Putin cares much about anything Obama says and considers Obama weak, while Obama seems to consider Putin completely full of shit and untrustworthy.

(HOTD edit)

[HairOfTheDog]

EU AGREES TO TOUGHER ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA

Since the downing of MH17, rather than distancing himself from the separatists and de-escalating the activity at the Russia/Ukraine border, Putin has defended the separatists (though still not acknowledging the plane downing was their doing) and reportedly stepped up Russian military activity in the Eastern Ukraine.

Putin's attitude and actions in the wake of the MH17 crash are looking to be the real game changers for the EU. Despite the fact that stricter sanctions will result in financial hits to the British banking community, the French arms trade business, and Germany's energy supply, the EU has reportedly agreed to tighten the screws on Russia in those industries. Russia has a lot to lose economically if it doesn't come to the table to negotiate and its European trade partners turn to other markets.



The western hope is that the pain to the Russian economy will be severe enough to pressure Putin into stepping back in regards to Ukraine aggression.

I really thought Putin would have already started reversing course in Ukraine, with some strategic positioning in his favor, but he has not. Even his partners are calling him out now, but he seems intent on ignoring those calls.

The details of the sanctions are expected to be released this week.

[Duchess]

I think Putin is invading the Ukraine as a whole. Rockets are being fired and tanks & soldiers are moving across the border.

[Carsman]

I think Putin is invading the Ukraine as a whole. Rockets are being fired and tanks & soldiers are moving across the border.

Putin knows "O" is watching, so he send his regards!

[Midwest Spy]

Cars, you're right on!

[HairOfTheDog]

Obama vs. Putin



Today President Obama released the following statement.

Today, we join the European Union in announcing that we will intensify our coordinated sanctions on Russia in response to its illegal actions in Ukraine. I have said from the very beginning of this crisis that we want to see a negotiated political solution that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Together with G-7 and European partners and our other Allies, we have made clear that we are prepared to impose mounting costs on Russia. We are implementing these new measures in light of Russia’s actions to further destabilize Ukraine over the last month, including through the presence of heavily armed Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. We are watching closely developments since the announcement of the ceasefire and agreement in Minsk, but we have yet to see conclusive evidence that Russia has ceased its efforts to destabilize Ukraine.

We will deepen and broaden sanctions in Russia’s financial, energy, and defense sectors. These measures will increase Russia’s political isolation as well as the economic costs to Russia, especially in areas of importance to President Putin and those close to him. My Administration will outline the specifics of these new sanctions tomorrow.

The international community continues to seek a genuine negotiated solution to the crisis in Ukraine. I encourage President Putin to work with Ukraine and other international partners, within the context of the Minsk agreement and without setting unreasonable conditions, to reach a lasting resolution to the conflict. As I said last week, if Russia fully implements its commitments, these sanctions can be rolled back. If, instead, Russia continues its aggressive actions and violations of international law, the costs will continue to rise.

He may look unfazed, but I think these sanctions are hurting Russia now and will hurt them more in the near future.

[HairOfTheDog]

I've been following the developments for almost a year and had hoped the conflict in eastern Ukraine would be de-escalating by now. Not so.

While the sanctions from the US and EU have reportedly had a significant impact on the Russian economy, Putin has apparently not backed off in supporting Russian-separatists in the eastern Ukraine. Almost immediately after the negotiated peace agreement and cease-fire was signed back in September, it was broken.

In the last few weeks, fighting has ramped up, casualties have increased, an airport has been destroyed, civilians are being evacuated from expanding war zones, etc... It's getting worse, not better, over there.

While US President Obama has suggested aiding the Ukraine with defensive military means, German Chancellor Merkel publicly rejected taking that route at this time.

Today, world leaders are meeting with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian PM Poroschenko in another attempt to negotiate an end to the conflict.


Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President François Hollande of France and President Petro O. Poroshenko of Ukraine on Wednesday for talks in Minsk.

I hope they make some real lasting progress.

Good piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/12/world/...v=top-news

[Maggot]

Barry has never been a very good foreign policy person. It may be because he extends his pinky finger when drinking out of a cup.

[blueberryhill]

This may be old news, but there was blurb on Facebook few days ago, saying Putin suffered from Aspergers syndrome (form of autism) and most of the posts said, we shouldn't judge him because their child had it or they knew someone who had it and that was just fine....I don't care if he has Aspergers, he needs to NOT be a leader of any country. He isn't going to sit still and do nothing, inch by inch, he will send troops further (or farther, not sure of correct use here) into Ukraine until it is fully occupied by Russian troops....He is just another asshole running a country into the ground....I think I will write his ex-wife and ask her what is wrong with this guy (already know he has a narcissistic personality). We shouldn't have to baby-sit him, and Kim ding dong in North Korea to make sure they are not ready to push the red button which says missile.

[HairOfTheDog]

A cease-fire agreement has been reached, along with a tentative peace plan. That's good news if everyone keeps their agreements and the implementation plan is effective.

- As of Sunday, fighting between Ukraine forces and Russian separatists will be halted.

- As of Monday, heave artillery will be pulled back by both sides, creating a demilitarized zone agreed to back in September.

-The release and exchange of all hostages and illegally held prisoners should be completed no more than five days after the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the agreement states.

-If the withdrawal of heavy weapons is successful, then local elections should be held in separatist-held areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Dialogue on this should start the day after the withdrawal. A change in the Ukrainian constitution is expected to make this possible, along with reforms to give the region greater autonomy. If all this happens, then the Ukrainian government may be able to take back control of its border with Russia in separatist-held areas by the end of the year.

All easier said than done with passions still high on both sides, but I really hope it's a sustainable foundation to end the bloodshed.

Ref: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/12/europe...index.html

[HairOfTheDog]

Assassination Rocks Russia

The cease-fire got off to a rocky start and is still shaky two weeks later.

The economy in Russia is said to be shit as the impacts of sanctions from Europe and the US start to really take effect.

And, sadly, the most prominent opposition figure in Russia was killed on Friday. His name was Boris Nemtsov and he openly opposed and protested Putin's policies; policies that restrict criticism of the government, discriminate against gays, promote aggressive actions in Ukraine...



Today, large crowds gathered to remember the former deputy Prime Minister turned opposition leader.

The mourners marched to the bridge near the Kremlin where Nemtsov was gunned down shortly before midnight Friday. Chanting "we'll not forget, we'll not forgive" and waving Russian flags, the crowd filled the road along the Moscow River embankment. Many tied black ribbons to railings along the way.

Some in the opposition ranks and the Russian population believe that Putin's government is directly behind the assassination. Others believe that while the government was not likely involved in the murder, Putin is to blame for creating an environment of intolerance which discourages free speech and criticism and responds to it with punishment and jail time.

Nemtsov was with a Ukrainian woman when he was killed, but she reportedly was too shaken up to give many details to investigators. The investigation is being conducted by Russia's Investigative Committee.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States had no intelligence on who was being the shooting. "The bottom line is we hope there will be a thorough, transparent, real investigation, not just of who actually fired the shots, but who, if anyone, may have ordered or instructed this or been behind this," Kerry said today on ABC's "This Week."

Ref: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/01...78328.html

[Maggot]

War and assassinations go hand in hand, merrily dancing the devils jig.

[crash]

Putin reminds me of a pyromaniac; pretending to stand along side the fire fighters to fight the fires he secretly lit yesterday.

[Blindgreed1]

The Russian economy before the sanctions was so bad that toilet tissue could not be found in public restrooms. As soon as they stocked it, people would steal it. I can't imagine how bad it is now.