It was a very sickening feeling to hear that Russian troops had entered the Crimea.
The Ukrainians were beating each other up which is not the correct way to solve problems. They would have resolved some of their problems if they had been left alone.
For Putin to march into the Crimea without permission was going to compound the problem rather than promote a solution. Putin had some debatable reasons for entering the Crimea. None of them were an emergency and could have been dealt with in other ways. Like , let's try talking.
Putin seems to be gambling that no one will confront him and send him home. The Ukrainians are not in position where they can take action. It would give Putin reason for stronger action. Putin has some of his own territory where people don't like him. These people could decide to take action while Putin is busy.
Putin entering the Ukraine is an all round bad situation.
Now Putin has some poor examples to follow.
I can make some self righteous comments but if I examine what we've (Canada) been involved in, we haven't been a good example. We waltzed into Iraq in the first Iraqi war. We gleefully entered Afghanistan where we were going to clean up all the bad guys. I know we said we had reasons for these two actions. But were they the right reasons? Were we asked to come into these countries to help them? Have these actions accomplished anything ? Did they make it better or worse for the people? They were certainly poor examples for others.
Now just because some one else entered other countries doesn't excuse Putin for his actions.
All of us need to sit down and take a deep breath and try to find a suitable solution before armies become involved. Peace is so very valuable. You'd think we could work harder for peace.
Well Putin is ex-KGB, so that is a problem in itself.
ReplyDeleteThat's one problem and after that it gets complicated.
DeleteThe Crimea from even times before Genghis Khan of the Mongol Empire (1162-1227) was a disaster zone.
DeleteReligious wars have been fought over this place - the Russian Tsarist Orthodox Church and the Muslims from just below in Turkey.
WW1 when Turkey sided with the Austro-German Alliance.
The place is riddled with the "to's and fro's".
The Crimean War - the lunatic British Commanders - Lords Cardigan and Raglan and the "Charge of the Light Brigade".
Then WW1 when First Sea Lord, Winston Churchill sent Aussie and Kiwi boys to their deaths at Gallipolli to ensure the Dardanelles was not bottled up. Well that was a disaster of all times!
The area has a history of Religious fighting.
Putin has his hands tied on this one - he can fist pump on his bare chest, as he likes to be shown, but it will be a waste of time and energy.
The Black Sea fleet can be easily bottled up, why they have it - well I don't know - prestige is the only thing I can think of and mines dropped in the straits will stop that silly business.
Have a look at the movie - "Enemy at the Gates" - the kill all at no cost by Commissar Nikita Krushchev and he was KGB and see what they were like then - Putin will, even though he was an ex-Colonel in the KGB will back down.
Sevastopol is not worth the effort - why the Russians want it - well that is a mystery???
It is in the Ukraine and the Ukraine is still an independent country albeit by a tread, but nothing will happen. I wish the Ukrainians all the very best and they WILL win this one.
Yalta is also on this coastline and now, thanks to history and files being opened, we know how President Roosevelt, who was very sick at the time, sold the West out to Stalin - sorry if this offends and from then we had "The Iron Curtain".
Well said Red,
ReplyDeleteIt's so important for all of the superpowers to be seen to act with restraint when it comes to using military force. They should use the discussion table wherever possible.
Some how they have to be convinced to set positive examples.
DeletePutin is no worse than any other politician. They use our money to buy lethal toys then we wonder why they use them.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very disturbing situation. Putin scares me sometimes...he seems like he's becoming more and more unstable as far as his leadership.
ReplyDeleteHe is very distant. Yes , he's scary.
DeleteI hope this situation works itself out. I am very anxious over it, Red, hoping that it's not a sign of things to come.
ReplyDeleteWe are both old enough to remember the cold war that wasn't always that cold.
Deletei think he was so high on his sochi success that he felt invincible and could do anything he dang well pleased. i am hoping his softer tones in the last day or so shows he's listening to some of the allied forces.
ReplyDeleteHe has shown a steak that says he will do what he wants.
DeleteSad when they feel aggression will solve problems
ReplyDeleteColonialism left many problems through out the world.
DeleteWar is never good.
ReplyDeleteWar is a total waste and rarely solves anything.
DeleteYou'd think, wouldn't you, Red, that we'd learn our lessons in the world stage. It's so sad.
ReplyDeleteIt seems the leaders we chose are very slow learners. I think there's too much big money behind many of our leaders.
DeleteHe is a liar and a power hungry leader. Since he has entered the global economic arena this this action has hurt the Russians financially. lmost Most Russians are against this aggression as it hurts their pocketbook to say nothing of the morality of the issue.
ReplyDeleteWe made a mistake when Gorbechev was leader. They wanted to become part of the European union and NATO. They should have been taken in and there would have been more communication.
DeleteI personally feel he has always been full of himself and I've never trusted him. I think he is very power hungry and that makes him dangerous.
ReplyDeleteHe's certainly on the creepy side.
DeleteI hope Putin is mentally stable, but I'm beginning to have my doubts.
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing more doubts regarding his stability.
DeletePutin seems to be acting out of personal anger at having been challenged by the Ukrainians while on a global stage during the Olympics. He is a modern tyrant. The situation is very troubling.
ReplyDeleteBut then we had our own political ego trip that got us into the war in Iraq. Powerful men play so fast and loose with the lives of others.
Sad but true that our leaders play a game with us and talk us into feeling guilty and supporting them.
DeleteThis is not good. Putin is an arrogant, fill in the blank. Being from the USA, I am ashamed and embarrassed of our ' leadership' here.
ReplyDeleteThey could all do with major lessons and attitude changes. Our prime minister goes from bad to worse.
DeleteYou are absolutely right. We are all guilty of one thing or another, but two wrongs don't make a right. As you said, Putin's actions can't be excused or justified simply because other leaders have made equally bad choices.
ReplyDeleteIt has to stop somewhere.
DeleteI suspect that despite a strongly expressed desire for peace, the world prefers times of trouble. Actions speak louder than words.
ReplyDeleteThe big money guys certainly like war as it's good for their business. There's too much big money behind our leadrer
DeleteHe is a big bully, after the Ukraine..what next. I thought it was quite scary when soldiers showed up in plain uniforms in the Ukraine...really fishy.
ReplyDeleteI think the EU should handle it..and the USA should stay out of it.
I agree with you completely! I'm still angry about how we got into Iraq. I blame Bush, of course. There was way too much misinformation. I don't know how he can live with what he did. As for Afghanistan, it's such a sorry situation. In the end, did we truly help? Do the Afghans really like our help? I don't know. I just don't know. We really need leaders who put peace as a priority.
ReplyDeleteHe is a dangerous man with a big ego. It seems there will never be a real peace in Europe. There is always a lunatic who wants trouble.
ReplyDelete