Obama: Russia causing Ukraine crisis

[Publicus]

There are people that hate democracy and liberalism.

They want dictators in China and oligarchs in Russia to rule the world.

That would necessarily mean "neutralizing" the United States.

Subjugating the European Union.

These people are more mad than the Japanese were on December 7, 1941

And that Hitler was on September 1, 1939.

I do not see all those bad guys playing in democratic and liberal US backyard, do you?

I'm talking about people who want to take the world as it is, which is no great thing by any means. and radically change it to be ruled by the dictators in Beijing along with their junior partner in Moscow, the pugnacious punk Putin.

The prerequisite to any such new world order would be no United States of America, or certainly not the present sovereign, independent, intact, United States of America.

I'm discussing where this mad detestation of democracy and liberalism leads to

The world as rubble.

[gigman]

Putin, Obama, NATO...etc including me and you ..we are just little average people in this world history. ...
The " Unnamed Great ones " know why and what will be next hence we are just wasting our time calculating and guessing.
History is written already...in " Someone's" memo...

[benj005]

Strange comments... Russia is already in the process of invading Ukraine and you are blaming US and Europe. The separatist leader in a public interview said that there some 4,000 Russian citizens and military personnel 'on leave' fighting on the side of separatists. There are satellite images showing Russian armored vehicles crossing into Ukraine. Perhaps you even still believe Putin that there is no Russian military in Ukraine?

Everybody loves to blame America. I think it's time to show Russia that we don't play. Russia is only s shell of their former self. They don't have the clout anymore.

I'm not advocating war. That should be the last thing America should do. War doesn't benefit anyone, and Russia has a nice supply of nukes. Hurting Russia economically is the way to go. No country is going to come to Russia's defense.

America and it's allies must set the tone. We also need to get China on our side. America has been in the process of putting troops in SE Asia. Hopefully, we don't have to use them.

Thank god we have a president who can think critically and is rational. Imagine if Bush was president? We would have American troops amassed on the Russian border!

It's a war between 2 countries and America need to stay out of it. America love to get involved in others problems and that is the problem. Russia has North Korea and China on their side, if it does break out which we all hope it won't, America would want to be damn sure they are ready.

I totally disagree. First, China is not going to get involved. They depend on America to import their junk. Have you seen how much of the Chinese economy is dependent on American trade? In 2013 China imports to America totaled $440 billion. If we cut China off tomorrow we would damage their economy to the point of no return.

I'm not even going to discuss North Korea's economy because it's pathetic. The masses are starving to death. Their economy has been crippled for the last 30 years.

Let's talk military. China has a decent military, but it's nothing compared to America's military. It's going to take China another 20-30 years before they can even match us. Not bragging. Only stating the facts. North Korea's military is a joke. Sure, they have a huge army. It's a million strong. How many are starving? How many don't even have clothing? We could bomb NK all night if we wanted. They don't have an air force that is capable of matching us.

If war were to erupt between America and Russia/China/NK you don't think Britain, Australia, and South Korea would come to our aid? We wouldn't do it alone. We would expect help from our allies.

Hopefully nothing happens and this ends peacefully.

[benj005]

Here is America's military budget compared to the rest of the world. These are 2014 figures.

I don't like it. We should be decreasing our military budget, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/military-spending-cuts/u-s-military-spending-dwarfs-rest-world-n37461

[Publicus]

This week for the first time Putin said "novorossiya" in talking about eastern Ukraine, the word that translates into "New Russia."

Here in fact is what the pugnacious Putin's brave new world looks like.

And if it looks and sounds like someplace out of the 17th century, well, that's because it is.

Putin's Fairy Tale

Why Russia Will Try -- and Fail -- To Build a New Empire

Vladimir Putin stands in front of a map of Russia in his residence outside of Moscow. (Courtesy Reuters)

Since returning to the Russian presidency in 2012 amid stagnant economic growth and dropping poll numbers, Vladimir Putin has been grasping for a narrative that could legitimize a second decade of his rule.

That search explains, in part, why Putin seized on the crisis in Ukraine. It has allowed him to present a bold new vision for Russia, one based on a promise of a national resurgence, a promise that is hugely appealing for Russians -- in the short term, at least.

But in the long term, Putin’s new national story has only set them up for disappointment and economic pain.

http://www.foreignaf...tins-fairy-tale

The economic pain has been a constant and acute ache. For instance, since 2008, $500 billion of massive and steady capital outflows.

Because of the sanctions the World Bank reduced its projections of 2014 economic growth to 1.5% from 2.5 and with the events of the past week said the worst case scenario could be a 1.8% contraction.

The ruble slid 2.4% this week against the USD$ and combined with the upswing in inflation (now 7.1%) interest rates will remain high for some time to come thus choking off needed economic activity. .

Russian people are beginning to wonder about the cost of the military operations in Ukraine in terms of their soldier's lives and in money.

[hawker9000]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Strange comments... Russia is already in the process of invading Ukraine and you are blaming US and Europe. The separatist leader in a public interview said that there some 4,000 Russian citizens and military personnel 'on leave' fighting on the side of separatists. There are satellite images showing Russian armored vehicles crossing into Ukraine. Perhaps you even still believe Putin that there is no Russian military in Ukraine?

Everybody loves to blame America. I think it's time to show Russia that we don't play. Russia is only s shell of their former self. They don't have the clout anymore.

I'm not advocating war. That should be the last thing America should do. War doesn't benefit anyone, and Russia has a nice supply of nukes. Hurting Russia economically is the way to go. No country is going to come to Russia's defense.

America and it's allies must set the tone. We also need to get China on our side. America has been in the process of putting troops in SE Asia. Hopefully, we don't have to use them.

Thank god we have a president who can think critically and is rational. Imagine if Bush was president? We would have American troops amassed on the Russian border!

Putting troops in SE Asia. Where? What troops? When?

Stand by for escalation. Russia have just approved the sale of 400 Billion in oil to China for payment in yuan. Its major oil company is also now trading oil in Rubles. Every single country that has ever tried to use an alternative currency to the dollar for oil has been attacked/invaded by the US.

We're not going to invade Russia.

This isn't Iraq!

Silly. By now Putin has probably wearied of the Obama comedy factor and has blocked him on FB...

[Asiantravel]

Strange comments... Russia is already in the process of invading Ukraine and you are blaming US and Europe. The separatist leader in a public interview said that there some 4,000 Russian citizens and military personnel 'on leave' fighting on the side of separatists. There are satellite images showing Russian armored vehicles crossing into Ukraine. Perhaps you even still believe Putin that there is no Russian military in Ukraine?

Everybody loves to blame America. I think it's time to show Russia that we don't play. Russia is only s shell of their former self. They don't have the clout anymore.

I'm not advocating war. That should be the last thing America should do. War doesn't benefit anyone, and Russia has a nice supply of nukes. Hurting Russia economically is the way to go. No country is going to come to Russia's defense.

America and it's allies must set the tone. We also need to get China on our side. America has been in the process of putting troops in SE Asia. Hopefully, we don't have to use them.

Thank god we have a president who can think critically and is rational. Imagine if Bush was president? We would have American troops amassed on the Russian border!

It's a war between 2 countries and America need to stay out of it. America love to get involved in others problems and that is the problem. Russia has North Korea and China on their side, if it does break out which we all hope it won't, America would want to be damn sure they are ready.

I totally disagree. First, China is not going to get involved. They depend on America to import their junk. Have you seen how much of the Chinese economy is dependent on American trade? In 2013 China imports to America totaled $440 billion. If we cut China off tomorrow we would damage their economy to the point of no return.

I'm not even going to discuss North Korea's economy because it's pathetic. The masses are starving to death. Their economy has been crippled for the last 30 years.

Let's talk military. China has a decent military, but it's nothing compared to America's military. It's going to take China another 20-30 years before they can even match us. Not bragging. Only stating the facts. North Korea's military is a joke. Sure, they have a huge army. It's a million strong. How many are starving? How many don't even have clothing? We could bomb NK all night if we wanted. They don't have an air force that is capable of matching us.

If war were to erupt between America and Russia/China/NK you don't think Britain, Australia, and South Korea would come to our aid? We wouldn't do it alone. We would expect help from our allies.

Hopefully nothing happens and this ends peacefully.

But you haven't mentioned Russia's other strategic ally in your " description of events "– Iran. Do you think they are likely for one minute to sit back while all this is going on? At the very least the whole Middle East region will just erupt because of all the divided loyalties but ultimately Iran has threatened many times to cause such havoc and chaos in the Straits of Hormuz that the oil supply from that part of the world will come to a grinding halt.

But that wont bother Russia

[benj005]

Strange comments... Russia is already in the process of invading Ukraine and you are blaming US and Europe. The separatist leader in a public interview said that there some 4,000 Russian citizens and military personnel 'on leave' fighting on the side of separatists. There are satellite images showing Russian armored vehicles crossing into Ukraine. Perhaps you even still believe Putin that there is no Russian military in Ukraine?

Everybody loves to blame America. I think it's time to show Russia that we don't play. Russia is only s shell of their former self. They don't have the clout anymore.

I'm not advocating war. That should be the last thing America should do. War doesn't benefit anyone, and Russia has a nice supply of nukes. Hurting Russia economically is the way to go. No country is going to come to Russia's defense.

America and it's allies must set the tone. We also need to get China on our side. America has been in the process of putting troops in SE Asia. Hopefully, we don't have to use them.

Thank god we have a president who can think critically and is rational. Imagine if Bush was president? We would have American troops amassed on the Russian border!

Putting troops in SE Asia. Where? What troops? When?

Stand by for escalation. Russia have just approved the sale of 400 Billion in oil to China for payment in yuan. Its major oil company is also now trading oil in Rubles. Every single country that has ever tried to use an alternative currency to the dollar for oil has been attacked/invaded by the US.

We're not going to invade Russia.

This isn't Iraq!

Silly. By now Putin has probably wearied of the Obama comedy factor and has blocked him on FB...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/gJQAKP83vV_story.html

[2fishin2]

Russia is a country of thugs led by a thug. Look at pictures of their military. Fat, long haired, unshaven men, wearing farm clothes. Is that what a professional military does? No! Russian soldiers going to fight on "their time off" ha what a comment that was. This is Putin's military in typical fashion. That country is in ruin and he knows it. Let's not forget the drunken rebels he is supporting....remember those are the guys that shot down a civilian airliner? Oh how we forget so quickly. I see today there is talk of stopping SWIFT banking transactions from Russia. Good! This isnt the US fault so quit your asinine comments.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[spidermike007]

The unfortunate reality, is that Putin is just not enough of a man to admit he is invading Ukraine. He is still trying to use KGB style obfuscation, to get away with this. The world knows who he is, what he is, and what he is up to. This fool cannot and will not get away with this kind of nonsense. He is a megalomaniacal multi billionaire despot. He will stop at nothing, it seems. The only solution is for Europe, and his other customers to find other sources for their oli and gas, and to tell him to take a long hike to the hinterlands of Siberia. The current level of rhetoric is not really accomplishing anything and unfortunately both Obama and Kerry are not sophisticated enough, or creative enough to resolve this. What might be helpful, is if the US could arrange sufficient supplies of oil and gas, behind the scenes, for all of Europe. Then the US and Europe could say take a hike, to this ridiculous midget of a man.

[Asiantravel]

Russia is a country of thugs led by a thug. Look at pictures of their military. Fat, long haired, unshaven men, wearing farm clothes. Is that what a professional military does? No! Russian soldiers going to fight on "their time off" ha what a comment that was. This is Putin's military in typical fashion. That country is in ruin and he knows it. Let's not forget the drunken rebels he is supporting....remember those are the guys that shot down a civilian airliner? Oh how we forget so quickly. I see today there is talk of stopping SWIFT banking transactions from Russia. Good! This isnt the US fault so quit your asinine comments.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

" That country is in ruin and he knows it."

Ah but has his own oil and gas..............and EU and USA are hardly flush with spare cash

[Asiantravel]

The unfortunate reality, is that Putin is just not enough of a man to admit he is invading Ukraine. He is still trying to use KGB style obfuscation, to get away with this. The world knows who he is, what he is, and what he is up to. This fool cannot and will not get away with this kind of nonsense. He is a megalomaniacal multi billionaire despot. He will stop at nothing, it seems. The only solution is for Europe, and his other customers to find other sources for their oli and gas, and to tell him to take a long hike to the hinterlands of Siberia. The current level of rhetoric is not really accomplishing anything and unfortunately both Obama and Kerry are not sophisticated enough, or creative enough to resolve this. What might be helpful, is if the US could arrange sufficient supplies of oil and gas, behind the scenes, for all of Europe. Then the US and Europe could say take a hike, to this ridiculous midget of a man.

ha ha

the latest threat from the West is to ban Russia from the SWIFT international banking code system to which they replied……………….. go-ahead it doesn't matter because we were already planning to set up an alternative to service the BRICS nations anyway.

Meanwhile USA loses at that revenue

Russia is always one step ahead

[spidermike007]

The unfortunate reality, is that Putin is just not enough of a man to admit he is invading Ukraine. He is still trying to use KGB style obfuscation, to get away with this. The world knows who he is, what he is, and what he is up to. This fool cannot and will not get away with this kind of nonsense. He is a megalomaniacal multi billionaire despot. He will stop at nothing, it seems. The only solution is for Europe, and his other customers to find other sources for their oli and gas, and to tell him to take a long hike to the hinterlands of Siberia. The current level of rhetoric is not really accomplishing anything and unfortunately both Obama and Kerry are not sophisticated enough, or creative enough to resolve this. What might be helpful, is if the US could arrange sufficient supplies of oil and gas, behind the scenes, for all of Europe. Then the US and Europe could say take a hike, to this ridiculous midget of a man.

ha ha

the latest threat from the West is to ban Russia from the SWIFT international banking code system to which they replied……………….. go-ahead it doesn't matter because we were already planning to set up an alternative to service the BRICS nations anyway.

Russia always is always one step ahead

But their economy is getting decimated. The ruble is falling daily, the stock market is falling, and so is international confidence with regard to investing there. People are starting to figure out Putin. He is being outed.

[mikehock]

Blame Obama

Could anyone imagine a more unqualified, inexperienced and outwitted President? Obama was never prepared for this job and he proves it almost every day! -

He is a very, very weak president, maybe the weakest, a America’s capacity for world leadership and influence has been diminished by this president

[Asiantravel]

The unfortunate reality, is that Putin is just not enough of a man to admit he is invading Ukraine. He is still trying to use KGB style obfuscation, to get away with this. The world knows who he is, what he is, and what he is up to. This fool cannot and will not get away with this kind of nonsense. He is a megalomaniacal multi billionaire despot. He will stop at nothing, it seems. The only solution is for Europe, and his other customers to find other sources for their oli and gas, and to tell him to take a long hike to the hinterlands of Siberia. The current level of rhetoric is not really accomplishing anything and unfortunately both Obama and Kerry are not sophisticated enough, or creative enough to resolve this. What might be helpful, is if the US could arrange sufficient supplies of oil and gas, behind the scenes, for all of Europe. Then the US and Europe could say take a hike, to this ridiculous midget of a man.

ha ha

the latest threat from the West is to ban Russia from the SWIFT international banking code system to which they replied……………….. go-ahead it doesn't matter because we were already planning to set up an alternative to service the BRICS nations anyway.

Russia always is always one step ahead

But their economy is getting decimated. The ruble is falling daily, the stock market is falling, and so is international confidence with regard to investing there. People are starting to figure out Putin. He is being outed.

Of course it's getting decimated………. But they will never give in. Every Russian I have been speaking to recently knows exactly what the West is really trying to achieve and support what its President is doing to challenge " the crazy West " as they describe them.Putin or the citizens of Russia will not sacrifice their sovereignty.

[Pakboong]

Putin is fully committed to BRICS and if he can be patient and pull it off, the problems with his current economy will disappear. It is a bold play and has never been attempted. The shareholders of the IMF have big bucks to stop him and they will not roll over on this one. It involves too much money and with the money, power.

The Ukraine is beyond bankrupt and allowing it to interfere with his plan for BRICS would really be stupid. You may not like Putin but, he is not stupid and will avoid involvement in Ukraine if he can. He does have the people he has to answer to and I am sure it pains him to let ethnic Russians in the Ukraine suffer at the hands of Kiev but he wants no involvement at this point.

[konying]

Russia is a country of thugs led by a thug. Look at pictures of their military. Fat, long haired, unshaven men, wearing farm clothes. Is that what a professional military does? No! Russian soldiers going to fight on "their time off" ha what a comment that was. This is Putin's military in typical fashion. That country is in ruin and he knows it. Let's not forget the drunken rebels he is supporting....remember those are the guys that shot down a civilian airliner? Oh how we forget so quickly. I see today there is talk of stopping SWIFT banking transactions from Russia. Good! This isnt the US fault so quit your asinine comments.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Lol, what pictures are you looking at?

Ever seen omon? Born and bread killers.

[rebeli]

Strange comments... Russia is already in the process of invading Ukraine and you are blaming US and Europe. The separatist leader in a public interview said that there some 4,000 Russian citizens and military personnel 'on leave' fighting on the side of separatists. There are satellite images showing Russian armored vehicles crossing into Ukraine. Perhaps you even still believe Putin that there is no Russian military in Ukraine?

Anyone who blames the USA over Russia are utter fools. Putin is doing this and it is obvious. The USA has got to stand up to him for the sake of greater Europe. There was once a guy called Hitler who was given too much lee way, especially by the USA., and remember what happened there.

Do tell what Ukraine had, has or will have anything to do with US,

Why does US feel the need to interfere?

Why do we feel the need to interfere? Unfortunately it's what we do best. We need to be everywhere, yet we need to fix issues at home.

Why are we putting forces in SE Asia? Why do we still have troops in South Korea and Germany? Why are we still in the middle east?

Intervening is what American should not do and it is NOT good in that also.

Look at iraq Afghanistan libia.

Americans should stay in there own beloved country and cuddle each other for being so good.

[Asiantravel]

Putin is fully committed to BRICS and if he can be patient and pull it off, the problems with his current economy will disappear. It is a bold play and has never been attempted. The shareholders of the IMF have big bucks to stop him and they will not roll over on this one. It involves too much money and with the money, power.

The Ukraine is beyond bankrupt and allowing it to interfere with his plan for BRICS would really be stupid. You may not like Putin but, he is not stupid and will avoid involvement in Ukraine if he can. He does have the people he has to answer to and I am sure it pains him to let ethnic Russians in the Ukraine suffer at the hands of Kiev but he wants no involvement at this point.

" It is a bold play and has never been attempted."

Or you could say anyone who has come even close to attempting to achieve similar results but by different tactics has never survived to tell the tale.

[aaacorp]

Strange comments... Russia is already in the process of invading Ukraine and you are blaming US and Europe. The separatist leader in a public interview said that there some 4,000 Russian citizens and military personnel 'on leave' fighting on the side of separatists. There are satellite images showing Russian armored vehicles crossing into Ukraine. Perhaps you even still believe Putin that there is no Russian military in Ukraine?

Maybe you should roll back a bit further in history and see how the "revolution" was organized, by who and what they did to be in power...

Then you ll see why we are not so eager to accept this kind of reaction from US.

[Publicus]

Russia is a country of thugs led by a thug. Look at pictures of their military. Fat, long haired, unshaven men, wearing farm clothes. Is that what a professional military does? No! Russian soldiers going to fight on "their time off" ha what a comment that was. This is Putin's military in typical fashion. That country is in ruin and he knows it. Let's not forget the drunken rebels he is supporting....remember those are the guys that shot down a civilian airliner? Oh how we forget so quickly. I see today there is talk of stopping SWIFT banking transactions from Russia. Good! This isnt the US fault so quit your asinine comments.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Lol, what pictures are you looking at?

Ever seen omon? Born and bread killers.

So is almost any American with a gun.....and most have an arsenal.

Have you been to the USA?

If you've been there you're lucky not to have had your ticket swift punched.

(Born and bred)

[thaibeachlovers]

Expect a lot of talk from Obama and zero action.

[Publicus]

Prez Obama will go to Wales UK next week for the annual meeting of Nato leaders of government where Putin's Rasputin statements "not to mess" with one of the world's principal nuclear powers will be discussed. Prez Obama will also visit in a Baltic capital to meet again and specifically with Baltic heads of government due to extreme nervousness there over Ukraine but also because many ethnic Russians live in the Nato-member Baltics and a number of residents themselves also speak Russian.

If Prez Obama changes the word "incursion" to "invasion," which everyone knows to be the latter, I suspect some of the principal EU wusses of Nato will be unable to agree on tougher sanctions, such as the SWIFT idea. Shutting Russian systems of economics and finance out of the SWIFT system will mean Europe can't transact with Russia either for such things as energy supplies.

If PM David Cameron does pursue his present plans to propose nasty sanctions against Russia, as supported by Pres Obama, Germany may cave to Putin to oppose any or all new sanctions. Maybe developments in Wales will go better for Nato but who knows at this point which way they will go.

Still, Nato and the West in general are presently looking at one huge fact for sure, which is the reality that the West has now hung itself on its own petard.

Meaning that the post cold war policy and dogma to economically integrate Russia, and China, into the economy and financial systems of the West has blown up in the faces of the North Atlantic alliance nations. It's turned out that Russia (and China) have so willingly and significantly integrated into Western economies and financial institutions that they have handcuffed Nato, the U.S., the EU., and have enabled Putin to carry the doomsday button around with him hanging prominently from his suit front pocket.

To try to blame Prez Barack Obama himself for this disastrous post-1991 dogma is itself absurd dogma. It's the policy of Bush the father, Bill Clinton, Bush the Dumber and is now visited like the plague on the incumbent Barack Obama who's also inherited wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that have proved self-destructive to the United States. The born losers that populate Europe (2500 years) contributed mightily to the disastrous post cold war notion of mainstreaming countries that are antithetical.

[Wat dee]

This week for the first time Putin said "novorossiya" in talking about eastern Ukraine, the word that translates into "New Russia."

Here in fact is what the pugnacious Putin's brave new world looks like.

And if it looks and sounds like someplace out of the 17th century, well, that's because it is.

Putin's Fairy Tale

Why Russia Will Try -- and Fail -- To Build a New Empire

Vladimir Putin stands in front of a map of Russia in his residence outside of Moscow. (Courtesy Reuters)

Since returning to the Russian presidency in 2012 amid stagnant economic growth and dropping poll numbers, Vladimir Putin has been grasping for a narrative that could legitimize a second decade of his rule.

That search explains, in part, why Putin seized on the crisis in Ukraine. It has allowed him to present a bold new vision for Russia, one based on a promise of a national resurgence, a promise that is hugely appealing for Russians -- in the short term, at least.

But in the long term, Putin’s new national story has only set them up for disappointment and economic pain.

The economic pain has been a constant and acute ache. For instance, since 2008, $500 billion of massive and steady capital outflows.

Because of the sanctions the World Bank reduced its projections of 2014 economic growth to 1.5% from 2.5 and with the events of the past week said the worst case scenario could be a 1.8% contraction.

The ruble slid 2.4% this week against the USD$ and combined with the upswing in inflation (now 7.1%) interest rates will remain high for some time to come thus choking off needed economic activity. .

Russian people are beginning to wonder about the cost of the military operations in Ukraine in terms of their soldier's lives and in money.

""Russian people are beginning to wonder about the cost of the military operations in Ukraine in terms of their soldier's lives and in money."

Russian's seems to be lot smarter than American's.

[konying]

Russia is a country of thugs led by a thug. Look at pictures of their military. Fat, long haired, unshaven men, wearing farm clothes. Is that what a professional military does? No! Russian soldiers going to fight on "their time off" ha what a comment that was. This is Putin's military in typical fashion. That country is in ruin and he knows it. Let's not forget the drunken rebels he is supporting....remember those are the guys that shot down a civilian airliner? Oh how we forget so quickly. I see today there is talk of stopping SWIFT banking transactions from Russia. Good! This isnt the US fault so quit your asinine comments.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Lol, what pictures are you looking at?

Ever seen omon? Born and bread killers.

So is almost any American with a gun.....and most have an arsenal.

Have you been to the USA?

If you've been there you're lucky not to have had your ticket swift punched.

(Born and bred)

Nonsense and you know it

[Publicus]

Russia is a country of thugs led by a thug. Look at pictures of their military. Fat, long haired, unshaven men, wearing farm clothes. Is that what a professional military does? No! Russian soldiers going to fight on "their time off" ha what a comment that was. This is Putin's military in typical fashion. That country is in ruin and he knows it. Let's not forget the drunken rebels he is supporting....remember those are the guys that shot down a civilian airliner? Oh how we forget so quickly. I see today there is talk of stopping SWIFT banking transactions from Russia. Good! This isnt the US fault so quit your asinine comments.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Lol, what pictures are you looking at?

Ever seen omon? Born and bread killers.

So is almost any American with a gun.....and most have an arsenal.

Have you been to the USA?

If you've been there you're lucky not to have had your ticket swift punched.

(Born and bred)

Nonsense and you know it

A presumption and a wrong one.

I anyway see the point of my post was swiftly taken.

[Publicus]

This week for the first time Putin said "novorossiya" in talking about eastern Ukraine, the word that translates into "New Russia."

Here in fact is what the pugnacious Putin's brave new world looks like.

And if it looks and sounds like someplace out of the 17th century, well, that's because it is.

Putin's Fairy Tale

Why Russia Will Try -- and Fail -- To Build a New Empire

Vladimir Putin stands in front of a map of Russia in his residence outside of Moscow. (Courtesy Reuters)

Since returning to the Russian presidency in 2012 amid stagnant economic growth and dropping poll numbers, Vladimir Putin has been grasping for a narrative that could legitimize a second decade of his rule.

That search explains, in part, why Putin seized on the crisis in Ukraine. It has allowed him to present a bold new vision for Russia, one based on a promise of a national resurgence, a promise that is hugely appealing for Russians -- in the short term, at least.

But in the long term, Putin’s new national story has only set them up for disappointment and economic pain.

The economic pain has been a constant and acute ache. For instance, since 2008, $500 billion of massive and steady capital outflows.

Because of the sanctions the World Bank reduced its projections of 2014 economic growth to 1.5% from 2.5 and with the events of the past week said the worst case scenario could be a 1.8% contraction.

The ruble slid 2.4% this week against the USD$ and combined with the upswing in inflation (now 7.1%) interest rates will remain high for some time to come thus choking off needed economic activity. .

Russian people are beginning to wonder about the cost of the military operations in Ukraine in terms of their soldier's lives and in money.

""Russian people are beginning to wonder about the cost of the military operations in Ukraine in terms of their soldier's lives and in money."

Russian's seems to be lot smarter than American's.

There's been a steady and now accelerating stream of body bags returning to Russia after their holiday recreational visit to Ukraine.

[Loptr]

Hmm, I wonder who destabilized Ukraine in the first place, toppled a duly elected government and installed neo-nazis in their place... Gee, who would do that?

[Publicus]

*Deleted Posts edited out*

"Cargo 200" has been Putin's code term to obliquely refer to Russian military casualties returning to Russia from Ukraine. And from the looks of this enormous body bag truck Putin's empire building is having a substantial cost. A great cost.

Putin's minions do in fact need to catch up to Putin's shifting and shuffling in the matter of Russian casualties in Ukraine. By which I mean, even Putin has stopped ignoring the issue, that Putin has stopped denying the issue; that Putin is in his own perverted way openly and actively addressing the issue.

Do try to keep up and do try to accept the facts.

Russia suffered 160,000 killed combatants in Chechnya which is a much smaller country and population than is Ukraine. Who can assure anyone that the fight for a free and independent Ukraine will be a short or decisive one?

Why Putin no longer conceals Russian casualties in Ukraine

By allowing discussions about casualties in Ukraine, the Kremlin is attempting to control protests against the war and gradually to prepare society for new shipments of “cargo 200″ from the Donbas.

After several days of silence and secret burials of the Pskov paratroopers, a number of individuals in Russia have finally begun to declare publicly that Russian soldiers are dying in Ukraine,

Based simply on one day and only on the battle for Snizhne, already at least 100 Russians have been killed and 300 wounded.

To hide anything, especially the massive deaths of their own citizens in a neighboring country in the era of the Internet, is practically impossible, and sooner or later the Russian authorities would have to admit to a war with Ukraine, as they did regarding the “green men” in Crimea.

http://euromaidanpress.com/2014/08/29/why-putin-no-longer-conceals-russian-casualties-in-ukraine/

"Why Putin no longer conceals Russian casualties in Ukraine."

Putin Risks Popularity With Ukraine Invasion

Opposition to direct military action in Ukraine rose from 45 percent in June to 61 percent among Russians last month.

Many Russians support the occupation of Crimea for various reasons but they increasingly oppose direct military action in Ukraine.

Efforts to cover-up casualties of the fighting included authorities removing the names of paratroopers recently killed in Ukraine from grave sites in Pskov, Russia, who did not receive military funerals, Russia-based news site Slon reports.

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/08/29/putin-risks-popularity-with-ukraine-invasion

[Gonki]

E Ukraine is sucking in assorted murder craving sadists from all over Europe, mostly Ukraine and Russia. E Ukrainian "army" was formed by liquor store looters and marauders who later renounced what brought them together because it was a bad PR. The Russians who volunteer to fight there have joined with like-minded thugs. Their opposites are made up of brainwashed masses who just crave ethnically cleansing anyone who is Russian or speaks Russian. For me it is easy to understand why EU and US is behind the latter. I spent more than a decade in Western countries and have heard first hand the type of hate that prevails there toward anything/anyone Russian.

This war is a cesspool battlefield of thugs vs nazis. Serves for both sides right. Imo liquor store pilferers are in no way Putin's clients. I think this war has to be done. The hatred of West/West Ukraine toward ethnic Russians is decades old (centuries in case of Western Ukraine). Russians who go to fight there are doing everyone in Russia a favor by leaving it behind. I read a story of one Russian volunteer who joined E Ukraine army and what he used to do was fight random pedestrians on city streets then once set a woman's hair on fire with zippo fluid and got away on a technicality (incidentally he is also a Bolotnaya case defendant). Then he found a new outlet for his violent urges, a much broader one. And this BS mill is being fueled by propaganda from both sides so more recruits will get sent to die for their dumb a** cause.

PS: I DO feel bad for both civilians and sane army staff who got caught in the jam, but this is war an it has never been different.