There was a massive turnout in the Crimea referendum, with 81.3 percent of eligible voters participating. When the final tally was in 96.77 percent voted “yes” to integration with the Russian Federation. The way it breaks down in terms of numbers is 1,233,002 votes for integration out of a total
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Progressive Proselytizing: Thoughts on Crimea
As the world prepares to accept the near inevitability of Crimea becoming part of Russia, the dominant feeling around the world is one best described as impotency. With the referendum coming in at 95% pro Russian, even if it skips over any official process and was boycotted by opposition groups,
Continue readingdrive-by planet: Double standards, threats and false claims in run-up to March 16 referendum in Crimea
The referendum in Crimea scheduled for March 16 has been declared invalid by US secretary of state John Kerry who also issued warnings of serious consequences if Russia “annexes” Crimea. He promised that sanctions against Russia would “get ugly fast.” This was echoed by Germany’s Angela Merkel who has made
Continue readingCuriosityCat: Ukraine: Russia punts ball down the field to gain time
Lavrov to punt … So Kerry and Lavrov met and walked on a soccer field, during a six-hour discussion of events in the Crimea and Ukraine. At the end of that session, they agreed to disagree: Lavrov said Crimea was very important for Russia but added that he could not
Continue readingdrive-by planet: New government in Kiev not exactly ‘revolutionary’: demonization of Russia
Top – Kiev government officials / Beneath – billionaire oligarchs Igor Kolomoyski and Sergey Taruta It comes as no surprise that the so-called “democratic revolution” in Ukraine basically boils down to a change of governing elites. The self-appointed government in Kiev does not herald any sweeping change that could credibly
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Is Passive Resistance Putin’s Achilles Heel?
Vlad Putin is strutting about Crimea with a huge chip on his shoulder just waiting for some Ukrainian hot head to knock it off. He’s got bases surrounded, soldiers and their officers confined to their garrisons. Russian forces pretty much have the run of the place. The Russians came geared
Continue readingLeDaro: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine – A New Cold War?
Is there a new Cold War? The situation in Ukraine is escalating with Russian troops invading the Crimea, and with concerns about Russian soldiers potentially advancing further. There has been a dip in world markets in response to this news. The United States has halted trade and investment talks with
Continue readingdrive-by planet: U.S. hypocrisy on Russian involvement in Crimea
This week US president Obama raised concerns about Russian involvement in Crimea. He said he is “deeply disturbed” by the Russian move and that “Any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing.” He made reference to “costs” facing Russia for its “military intervention” – adding to
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Putin Flips the Switch – Russian Troops Enter Crimea
Wakin’ the Neighbours, Putin Style The Washington Post reports that U.S. officials have confirmed that Russian forces are across the Ukrainian border. The U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity about internal deliberations, declined to provide numbers or specific locations of Russian deployments. Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador, Yuriy Sergeyev told the
Continue readingLeDaro: Russian Parliament approves use of armed forces in Ukraine
Ukraine situation has taken a turn for the worst. What next? Read more here
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Look Whose Flag is Flying Over Southern Ukraine
The Russian flag waves over the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol. It’s beginning to look as though Moscow is not going to let Crimea fall to the interim Ukranian government in Kiev. The Crimea is historically Russian. It was transferred to the Ukraine in 1954 by Kruschev but it retains
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Advice to Canadian politicians and media: Proceed with caution on your support for Ukraine’s rebels
Anti-Government Ukrainians prepare to fight police in Kiev. Below: Rioters throw gasoline bombs at police in Ukraine; Alberta Labour Minister Thomas Lukaszuk. (Wikimedia photos.) You can bet money that when trouble is brewing abroad things are always far more complicated than local enthusiasts for one side or the other make
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