Ukraine Heats Up

[piece-itpete]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...ing-point.html

Big troop buildup on Russias western border too.

Pete

[piece-itpete]

The Jewish community believes it's the Russkies:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...e-attacks.html

And, loves Reagan apparently

Pete

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

The Jewish community believes it's the Russkies:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...e-attacks.html

And, loves Reagan apparently

Pete

What you expect them to say...The Neos are in power.

[barbara]

Unlike many of you, I have not traveled much outside of the United States and I have a very limited understanding of foreign affairs, political nuances in other countries, or cultural expectations outside of my own.

I've been reading this thread to gain a better understanding of what is happening and, I'll admit, am still confused.

Could someone summarize the issue for me in terms a third grader could understand?

😳

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by barbara

Unlike many of you, I have not traveled much outside of the United States and I have a very limited understanding of foreign affairs, political nuances in other countries, or cultural expectations outside of my own.

I've been reading this thread to gain a better understanding of what is happening and, I'll admit, am still confused.

Could someone summarize the issue for me in terms a third grader could understand?

😳

Putin is having a hard time accepting the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the desire of Ukraine to bolt to the (more prosperous and democratic) EU is an embarrassment to his efforts to essentially recreate Russia's former power and influence.

[barbara]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Putin is having a hard time accepting the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the desire of Ukraine to bolt to the (more prosperous and democratic) EU is an embarrassment to his efforts to essentially recreate Russia's former power and influence.

I see....

And, does Ukraine have the political momentum to make the break? The ability to make it after the break?

Have Putin's efforts to recreate the former power and influence of Russia (aside from what is happening in Ukraine) been fruitful?

Thanks, by the way....

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by barbara

I see....

And, does Ukraine have the political momentum to make the break? The ability to make it after the break?

Have Putin's efforts to recreate the former power and influence of Russia (aside from what is happening in Ukraine) been fruitful?

Thanks, by the way....

His intent is to counterbalance the EU with the Eurasian Economic Community which now consists of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. He wanted to add Ukraine (and perhaps Moldova and Armenia) to the mix, but Ukraine was more interested in the more prosperous and democratic EU.

Here's an interesting take on the economics of this conflict:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...51c_story.html

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by barbara

Unlike many of you, I have not traveled much outside of the United States and I have a very limited understanding of foreign affairs, political nuances in other countries, or cultural expectations outside of my own.

I've been reading this thread to gain a better understanding of what is happening and, I'll admit, am still confused.

Could someone summarize the issue for me in terms a third grader could understand?

��

The two mains groups: Polish influenced.
Russian Influenced.

After breakup of the Soviet Union Ukraine has been ruled at different times by
parties dominated by each of the two groups.

They have one thing in common: extreme corruption.

The country finance is in tatters and there was an understanding that last elected leader would take the country into the European Market but Europe barked at the price he was asking.

Russia was prepared to pay the price if he took the country economically towards Russian.

There was a spontaneous protest for the European way, especially since a lot of the young want non visa travel to Europe.

A small right wing group, rabidly anti Russian and pro Nazi took charge of the
demonstration in Kiev and side lined the moderate factions of the protest.
They succeeded in overthrowing the government.

The Crimea is predominantly Russian. Russia has a naval base there with lease until 2042.

It was officially part of Russia, but in the fifties the leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Krushchev, he himself a Ukrainian, gave it to Ukraine.

[Bigerik]

Crimea has been a part of Russia since 1783, and has no historic ties to Ukraine.

Almost half the Ukraine population, especially that in the east, are ethnic Russians and prefer closer ties with Russia.

[barbara]

Thank you all for the information. The link was very helpful.