Ukraine Prime Minister resigns.

[Dondilion]

Ukraine Yatseniuk resigns.

Oligarchs jostling?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...seniuk-resigns

[piece-itpete]

Ukraine appears to be dysfunctional. I saw yesterday, another fistfight in Parliament.

Pete

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Ukraine appears to be dysfunctional. I saw yesterday, another fistfight in Parliament.

Pete

There are too many powerful warlords.

[finnbow]

Meanwhile, US intelligence just announced that they have proof that Russia is firing artillery into eastern Ukraine from Russian territory and are currently moving a bunch of missiles into Ukraine.

(Source: Ongoing State Dept briefing just shown on CNN)

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Meanwhile, US intelligence just announced that they have proof that Russia is firing artillery into eastern Ukraine from Russian territory and are currently moving a bunch of missiles into Ukraine.

(Source: Ongoing State Dept briefing just shown on CNN)

Beware Ukraine arm force is heavily infiltrated.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Beware Ukraine arm force is heavily infiltrated.

What does that have to do with Russians firing artillery from their territory into Ukraine?

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by finnbow

What does that have to do with Russians firing artillery from their territory into Ukraine?

What do you make of this Pat?

Simply a little guy with a napoleon complex?

Do you think much of this comes from Putin's philosophical beliefs and these are measured actions to accomplish whatever it is he has in mind for the former USSR?

Is this straight business?

What's the end game here?

[bobabode]

Moldova?

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by noonereal

What do you make of this Pat?

Simply a little guy with a napoleon complex?

Do you think much of this comes from Putin's philosophical beliefs and these are measured actions to accomplish whatever it is he has in mind for the former USSR?

Is this straight business?

What's the end game here?

He wants to build up the "Eurasian Customs Union" to counteract the strength and (relative) unity of the EU and to compensate for his country being viewed (mostly correctly) as backwards and corrupt now that the Soviet empire is down the tubes. Ukraine is key to making this union more meaningful.

Ukraine (at least the western part and its capital) would prefer the economic promise and freedom of the EU and/or NATO(they see Poland's relative success after it split the sheets with Moscow), but Putin can't stand to see that happen as it is necessary to the ECU's future. Ukraine's future success in the EU would cast further doubt on Putin's stewardship of Russia's faltering economy. He just doesn't like being dissed by these former partners in the failed Soviet experiment.

In short, he wants Russia's relevance/power in the world to again be on a par with what it once was in the USSR and control over Ukraine (and not being openly dissed by them) is instrumental to this objective. If he can't have Ukraine outright, he wants to be as disruptive as possible to keep things from happening with the EU. Lastly, he cannot be seen as backing down to Western pressure after all the propaganda he's been slinging painting Ukraine as evil, Nazi, terrorist, etc. Strong men cannot allow themselves to be seen as weak.

There, you have my rambling $0.02 worth.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by noonereal

What do you make of this Pat?

Simply a little guy with a napoleon complex?

Do you think much of this comes from Putin's philosophical beliefs and these are measured actions to accomplish whatever it is he has in mind for the former USSR?

Is this straight business?

What's the end game here?

Not straight business.
The man is a nationalist and was affronted by the Yeltsin regime.

Putin is under tremendous pressure by his right to assist the eastern Ukrainians.

He would like to be just be satisfied with Crimea with its naval base. However he has engendered pro Russian passion in east Ukraine which he cannot now control.