Ukraine Thread

[Strike For The South]

It is January 13th, 2015 and Putin is still a fascist.

[CrossLOPER]

It is January 13th, 2015 and Putin is still a fascist.

You accidentally failed to use comic sans.

[Strike For The South]

You are just fufilling you're German duty to be attracted to an autocart. Putin gets things done therefore he is good.

I pity you

[Strike For The South]

It is January 31st, 2015 and Putin is still a fascist.

[Husar]

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/0...to-stop-putin/

First, has any debate ever been improved by comparisons to Hitler? It’s the one type of name-calling certain to drive people crazy. We see that happening in Ukraine. The debate about who is a fascist has been part of the political hysteria that may eventually make that country ungovernable.

A second reason to be sparing with the F-bomb is more subtle. The label makes us think we’re talking about politicians and political movements ready for Armageddon. Fascists love throwing themselves on funeral pyres—they seem impossible to deter by ordinary means. But that’s not Mr. Putin (and my guess is it’s not Narendra Modi, the likely new Indian prime minister, either). Mr. Putin often miscalculates–but he does calculate.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opi...329348214.html

Among the "Ten handy phrases for bluffing your way through a conversation about the situation in Ukraine", the British Spectator magazine suggested rather sardonically: "The similarities with Hitler and the Sudetenland/Anschluss/Peter the Great/Stalin and the Tartars/Genghis Khan are striking."
The article makes it clear that "Historical analogies are invaluable to the experienced bluffer, but the amateur must tread carefully."
It follows, "When in doubt, hedge: 'I am not saying that Putin is Hitler, but …' or 'It’s easy to get carried away with these comparisons, but...' Try to look pained, as if contemplating both the complexity and the imminent possibility of human suffering."

[Gilrandir]

It is January 31st, 2015 and Putin is still a fascist.

Every now and then every company changes its slogans and very often they (slogans) kind of echo the previous one. In view of this and the fact that the above one is like a year old and recent developments in Donbas I suggest we update it. What about "It is whatever date and Putin gets fascister than ever"? Yet I don't insist on this one and open for any ideas.
And another kind of update:
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukr...ltseve-n296841

[GenosseGeneral]

I think we are in a highly critical stage right now which might lead to a further escalation on both national and global level.
According to Kuchma, in Minsk the Separatists threatened to begin a full-scale military attack, if their demand for a one-sided ceasefire by the Ukrainian side is not met. At the same time, they have substantially increased the military pressure. There have been intensive fights yesterday, the Ukranian forces have lost ground, so it seems to be no empty threat. However, their demands are unacceptable to the Ukrainian side. So if the separatists do not chicken out and indeed take that violent outside option, we will be back to the July-August intensity of warfare.
On a global level, the attack on Mariupol has raised concerns in the West, opening a timeframe for a decision towards harsher sanctions against Russia. As we all know, the EU usually needs some time to agree on sanctions, yet currently there are plans on the table. This is due to the attack on Mariupol last week. Meanwhile, even Medvedev threatened "unlimited retaliation" for a next round of 'hard' economic sanctions (e.g. cutting Russia off from SWIFT).
http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/347...htabnoi-voinoi

[Gilrandir]

So if the separatists do not chicken out and indeed take that violent outside option, we will be back to the July-August intensity of warfare.

If we are then with a reversed momentum - it is the separatists who are now on the offensive.
And you link to an article in Russian - well, I know everything that's in it, while (most of) others can't read it. Yet thanks. If you are interesed in constant update of the events in Russian and Ukrainian (and some analytical thoughts, including those from Nemtsov and other Russians) I can recommend this site:
http://nv.ua/

[Gilrandir]

Now let Husar and Genosse General be ready to part with their hard-earned money:
http://itar-tass.com/en/russia/775042
And perhaps Brenus as well - after all he must pay something, Napoleon was a well-known arsonists.
And I dare not think what bill Mongolia will have to foot.
And one more read:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e3ace...#axzz3QfpftG7J

[Husar]

It's January 14th here.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

It's January 14th here.

Not at the time he posted, even in Dresden it was still the 13th.

So put that in your asynchronous pipe and smoke it.

[Husar]

You are just fufilling you're German duty to be attracted to an autocart. Putin gets things done therefore he is good.

I pity you

Yes, I am German duty and I love autocarts, bit auto lovers everywhere here.
But can you show me where I said Putin is good?

Not at the time he posted, even in Dresden it was still the 13th.

So put that in your asynchronous pipe and smoke it.

You may not believe it, but I was aware of that, there is a little timestamp above every post after all.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

...You may not believe it, but I was aware of that, there is a little timestamp above every post after all.

Oh heavens, Husar, did I need to put [SARCASM] [/SARCASM] brackets on it? It was a bit of a sophomoric joke response. Cross Loper termed it "sub-sophomoric" which I think a bit harsh, but may also be accurate.

Never have doubted your intelligence even though you and I do not always agree on things. I assure you I was trying for 'silly' not 'insulting.'

[Husar]

Oh heavens, Husar, did I need to put [SARCASM] [/SARCASM] brackets on it? It was a bit of a sophomoric joke response. Cross Loper termed it "sub-sophomoric" which I think a bit harsh, but may also be accurate.

Never have doubted your intelligence even though you and I do not always agree on things. I assure you I was trying for 'silly' not 'insulting.'

I have to fail as well sometimes, it reminds me that I'm still human.

Can't even remember what I wanted to write instead of "bit" in response to Strike either. I violated my own rule of not posting shortly after I wake up and deserve to get punished for it.

[GenosseGeneral]

An interesting study into the role of domestic and national identities in Russia's foreign policy towards its "near abroad", despite certain shortcomings:

Identity, legitimacy, and the use of military force:
Russia’s Great Power identities and military intervention
in Abkhazia
TED HOPF
Review of International Studies / Volume 31 / Supplement S1 / December 2005, pp 225 - 243


If you are really interested and do not have access to the publication via institutions, pm me.