Thousands of Ukrainian troops trapped in Donbas.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Don I kinda see why Putins doing it, and I really do think he cares for Russias greatness in his fashion, but why couldn't he have stopped with the Crimea? Is it domestic?

Finn way too convenient. Though I suppose it shows other actors that we can't be trusted, to 'get it in writing'.

Pete

They were other players in the East... Loud mouth Russian speaking nationalists, Oligarchs who feel threatened, people who just want to
go to Europe visa free and right wingers who want to prove that they
are the new boss.

Maidan provided an example for the Russian nationalists. Some believe
Putin has total control over this group, I doubt it.

They are a mix bag. Putin whether he wants to or not has to support them
or face domestic scorn.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

...Putin whether he wants to or not has to support them or face domestic scorn.

He richly deserves it, though it often means the end for an autocrat/kleptocrat.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by finnbow

He richly deserves it, though it often means the end for an autocrat/kleptocrat.

True, especially for not attempting to diversify the Russian economy.

Medvedev I believed tried to project the idea.

[nailer]

If need be, isn't Medvedev waiting in the wings to clean up Putin's mess?

[Dondilion]

Medvedev Modernization Program

Energy efficency
Nuclear
Space
Information
Medical and Pharma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medvede...tion_programme

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Medvedev Modernization Program

Energy efficency
Nuclear
Space
Information
Medical and Pharma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medvede...tion_programme

Their economy is so structurally fucked up that it's doubtful they could become competitive in world markets in anything other than the extractive industries and weapons exports, at least for a generation.

[icenine]

Originally Posted by nailer

If need be, isn't Medvedev waiting in the wings to clean up Putin's mess?

Someone has to remove Putin first. Like his boy in Syria he is not going down without a massive struggle to save his regime. He is a sociopath in my opinion because he does not care about all of the deaths he has caused in Ukraine. He cares more about being a big fish in his struggling post- Cold War Eastern European pond than about joining the community of nations.


I think Putin would have neutralized Medvedev by now if he was concerned about him taking over.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by icenine

He is a sociopath in my opinion because he does not care about all of the deaths he has caused in Ukraine.

And the cheer leaders at Maidan care about their share of the deaths?

[icenine]

He has been in power since 1999....I do not know why you like defending him.
The community of nations by laying down sanctions have obviously come to the conclusion he is in large part responsible for what is happening in Ukraine.

[Dondilion]

Of all the leaders who have been in power in modern/recent times, Putin is least in "cause of death ratings".