Ukraine Thread

[Fragony]

Here is one of Putin's hopes - to split the EU's unified position on relations with Russia in general and on the sanctions in particular. But I think he can't offer anyone more than promises now - the finacial power of Russia is precarious. It couldn't even find the yearly modicum for .pTransdniestria this time.
http://www.moldova.org/for-the-first...-transnistria/
And locals complaining of it (sorry, in Russian):
http://ru.krymr.com/media/video/26948753.html-

Not asking for any agreement, just for consideration http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/re...ntl-relations/

^ that was the counter, here is the original http://books.google.nl/books?hl=en&l...=onepage&q=six principles of political realism morgenthau&f=false
When taking it as a given that Putin knows exactly what he is doing, the EU-policy looks a bit dumb.
W


By reacting as he did Putin didn't get what he wanted and is not likely to. Enjoying the reputation of a calculated strategic player he should have known better than to act so emotionally. He may have had tactical gains, but in the long run he considerably worsened his position. This shows him being a tactician rather that a strategist.

You can look at the west but I think he is more worried about the east, Russian territories are already Chinese in Chinese schoolbooks. Looking weak was probably the worst decision he could have made, Can't shake the thought that these idiots of the EU forced him into a position. That von Romppuy guy was very clear about the intention of the EU, securing all countries at Russia's borders. How can that be acceptablle, how can it be reasonable? Putin might be acting like a cat in distress but might he just have a very good reason to act in the way he does?

No need to agree, but just because of considerating it http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/re...ntl-relations/

Is he really a cat in distress or playing a better hand

Before anyone says it, I know I posted a counter I did that on purpose.

original text http://www.google.nl/search?hl=en-NL...80.0sYxA2Akpcc < this doesn't work, don't ask me why but it doesn't.