Roots and consequences of Ukraine's violence

[Stavros]

Is Larry King speaking from beyond the grave?

[broncofan]

I wonder if it is inconceivable to think of Ukraine separating into two states -? .

This does sound like a sensible idea but I wonder if it would really be viewed by Russia as the intermediate stage in annexation. First, Crimea is carved out because it has a different character than the rest of Ukraine. Then Crimea becomes part of Russia because it's not viable as a stand-alone state, and it should belong to someone.

And I don't mean this as a joke but nomenclature is extremely important when it comes to creating new states (because the name could make the first rhetorical argument as to who should possess it in the long run). If Ukraine divides in two then what is the other state called? I strongly advise against Russia Minor.

[broncofan]

Is Larry King speaking from beyond the grave?

One of my favorite roast jokes of Larry King was during the Egyptian uprising. A comic said the last time Larry King covered an uprising in Egypt he interviewed Moses.

[runningdownthatdream]

One of my favorite roast jokes of Larry King was during the Egyptian uprising. A comic said the last time Larry King covered an uprising in Egypt he interviewed Moses.

You like Larry King jokes? Then check out this roast of Trump where LK was one of 'the dais' and subject to a lot of zingers!

[Dino Velvet]

Is Larry King speaking from beyond the grave?

Ask him. He seems fairly confused about it as well.

[Ben]

I like Abby Martin. I hope RT -- which is fully funded by the Russian govt -- respects her opinion.

[Ben]

RT Host Abby Martin Condemns Russian Incursion Into Crimea – On RT:

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2...ion-crimea-rt/

[Stavros]

This does sound like a sensible idea but I wonder if it would really be viewed by Russia as the intermediate stage in annexation. First, Crimea is carved out because it has a different character than the rest of Ukraine. Then Crimea becomes part of Russia because it's not viable as a stand-alone state, and it should belong to someone.

And I don't mean this as a joke but nomenclature is extremely important when it comes to creating new states (because the name could make the first rhetorical argument as to who should possess it in the long run). If Ukraine divides in two then what is the other state called? I strongly advise against Russia Minor.

I spoke with a specialist on the region overnight and his argument is that the Russians have been opposed to Ukraine becoming a member of NATO and the EU, that they consider the Ukraine to be part of their historic sphere of interest, something Ukrainians are well aware of and, indeed, for the most part accept, and that a show of force will be followed by diplomatic manoeuvers whose aim will be to keep Ukraine within the emerging Russian/Eurasian economic zone Putin wants to develop, even if to some people this looks like a resurrection of the USSR. The Crimea may opt for a more autonomous status, but within the Ukraine, which will enable Russia to deny it has been annexed and give Ukraine titular control over the territory. Elections in the Ukraine will produce another effective stalemate with an electorate split in half, but the country will hang together so the issue is whether or not Ukraine can produce a government that is (relatively) free of corruption and which develops trade with Russia and the rest of the world. Financially Ukraine is a mess, and it is problematic to deal on a small level with Russia because of the influence oligarchs have on key sectors of the economy, but it would reduce the fears of military conflict, unless of course someone decides to go shooting and it suddenly veers out of control. How secure these arguments are I don't know, but they sound workable. Russian trade with the EU is hugely important, the same is true of Ukraine, there is no reason to undermine it for political purposes whose end would hurt trade on both sides.

I think a lot of this posturing by the USA and Europe is part of the ongoing spat with Russia over Syria, and it would be counter-productive in that conflict to so alienate the Russians they make any settlement of the Syrian conflict dependent on non-Syrian issues.

[Janette Voerman]

You want to know a true about Ukraine does not look Russian television!!! There very much much taradiddle and propaganda counted on Russians and some citizens of Ukraine! Read and look the Ukrainian a web server sites only! Trust I from Kiev and here are not mass disturbances! Here are not fascists and radically adjusted elements! That was on Maydane this was the fight of the Ukrainian people against a dictator which brought to ruin Ukraine and led to a corruption and crime in a country to the extraordinary scope! The people of Ukraine got tired to live under the burden of crime! But it is not advantageous Russia and Putin therefore he accepts active voice in kindling of enmity between east and west of Ukraine!

[Janette Voerman]

From data of the social questioning only 12% citizens of Ukraine want to be in composition Russia! On all Ukraine mass protests pass with appeals it "Is not war" of "Putin leave home"! People talk that they need defence of the Russian army! Not whoever oppresses a right for not a single ethnic group resident in Ukraine! But why the Russian TV channels of it do not show that! And show the shots of two-week remoteness in Kiev on Maydane and give out it for Crimea!
Now even in Moscow people go out which do not want war of Russia and Ukraine! They are detained by a police and gives up for a grate!