Another link containing interesting info about what the IMF might impose upon Ukraine if they get their way - 21stcenturywire.com/2014/02/28/t ... wo-begins/ Quote IMF plunder of Ukraine Crown Jewels Now that the “opposition” has driven a duly-elected president into exile somewhere unknown, and dissolved the national riot police, Berkut, Washington has demanded that Ukraine submit to onerous IMF conditionalities. In negotiations last October, the IMF demanded that Ukraine double prices for gas and electricity to industry and homes, that they lift a ban on private sale of Ukraine’s rich agriculture lands, make a major overhaul of their economic holdings, devalue the currency, slash state funds for school children and the elderly to “balance the budget.” In return Ukraine would get a paltry $4 billion. Before the ouster of the Moscow-leaning Yanukovich government last week, Moscow was prepared to buy some $15 billion of Ukraine debt and to slash its gas prices by fully one-third. Now, understandably, Russia is unlikely to give that support. The economic cooperation between Ukraine and Moscow was something Washington was determined to sabotage at all costs. '"

Another link containing interesting info about what the IMF might impose upon Ukraine if they get their way - 21stcenturywire.com/2014/02/28/t ... wo-begins/ Quote IMF plunder of Ukraine Crown Jewels Now that the “opposition” has driven a duly-elected president into exile somewhere unknown, and dissolved the national riot police, Berkut, Washington has demanded that Ukraine submit to onerous IMF conditionalities. In negotiations last October, the IMF demanded that Ukraine double prices for gas and electricity to industry and homes, that they lift a ban on private sale of Ukraine’s rich agriculture lands, make a major overhaul of their economic holdings, devalue the currency, slash state funds for school children and the elderly to “balance the budget.” In return Ukraine would get a paltry $4 billion. Before the ouster of the Moscow-leaning Yanukovich government last week, Moscow was prepared to buy some $15 billion of Ukraine debt and to slash its gas prices by fully one-third. Now, understandably, Russia is unlikely to give that support. The economic cooperation between Ukraine and Moscow was something Washington was determined to sabotage at all costs. '"

Have we found out from Dally, how the homosexual community have been responsible for the moral decline of the West yet??

Was also the new reporter who resigned live on air due to the Russian invasion into Ukraine, can't remember the channel though.

Edit: Russia today it was link here
[urlhttp://metro.co.uk/2014/03/06/russia-today-reporter-resigns-live-on-air-over-crimea-4438921/[/url

Has it been verified as genuine? Didn't think so. Interesting you lap up an unverified phone call allegedly between an Estonian politician and Baroness Ashton, citing a further unverified conversation with a Dr Olga stating that unproven and as yet unseen 'evidence' points to far-right snipers killing both police and protesters - despite the square being occupied by police at the time and the good Dr Olga denying she said anything of the sort.

One Russia Today anchor condemned Russia's actions at the end of her segment, and another quit live on air, stating she could not work for a network that 'whitewashed' the actions of Putin. But of course, in your view Russian media are doing a grand and fair job. Sorry, but if you think the Russian public are getting more info than us via state channels, you're an idiot.

Not that it matters much. The West are hamstrung. NATO will never risk military action against Russia, neither will any coalition of Western forces. Germany rely too heavily on Russia and are keeping their heads down, the UK is muttering lamely and the USA can deliver all the hard talk it likes, but that's about it. Putin could carpet-bomb Kiev and not one Western country will step up.

Economic sanctions could bite at Russia but would also be hugely damaging to many Western firms. Russia, Germany, the UK, USA and many other countries are massively invested in one another to the tune of many billions, not to mention reliance on Russian energy across Europe. The drop in the Rouble and market response could hurt Russia, but not on a long term basis.

You might have heard of this geezer, Putin, and his country, Russia.

Mentioning homophobia in connection with both is about as on-topic as mentioning the same country's kowtowing to religious sensibilities and surprising free speech – see Pussy Riot (and I'm not referring to Dally's 'minge' thread) et al.

Cronus has made the point that if you really think that Russians are getting a wonderfully honest and open version of events, then you're naive at best.

None of which, however, changes the current situation over Ukraine, Russia and the Crimea, although my earlier point about substantial cultural differences does – or perhaps should – influence to a degree how we view the current situation.

I don't know whether the telephone conversation is true.

There are also plenty of reports around of the far-right, ultra-nationalist nature of some of the new government, which could give rise to some validity to the idea that those in the country's east, who are much more Russian, do feel threatened.

As to hypocrisy – well duh. The UK is still selling arms to Russia – as are others. Politicians are fumbling around trying to understand what's going on and trying to be seen to 'do something'.

The US are keen on sanctions precisely because they would damage European industry and create opportunities for theirs.

The US are keen on sanctions precisely because they would damage European industry and create opportunities for theirs.

Well, these sort of [url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/03/06/uk-crystal-meth-vet-accused-killing-man-toothbrush-extreme-sm-sex-session/shenanigans[/url may simply be considered a good night out in your circle, but are the cause for many a raised eyebrow amongst the more normal of us........ And of course the West Country is still flooded!

If the Russians are worried about the Russian speaking people of the Crimea, give them asylum in Russia or give them a house and some land, it's big enough.

Crimea is part of Russia. It was given to Ukraine by an allegedly drunken president at a time when they were both part of the USSR (ie when it didn't matter).

So it's not part of Russia.

Lol

Nope.

Try again. Preferably after actually consulting a map.

It is also autonomous and has decided it wants to rejoin Russia. The people will vote that way shortly. So it will be the democratic will of the people, which the West espouses love for everywhere else. Contrast Western support for the violent overthrow of a democratically elected government in Ukraine and you start to see that there is no interest in democracy just geophysical meddling in Russia's backyard.

At what point in time?

It's a peninsula. It is attached to Ukraine. Not Russia.

Those are facts.

Whether some or all of the people there want to be a part of Russia, it is not geographically so.

That's another fact.

You do realise that state boundaries are more often than not arbitrary lines drawn on a map? The Crimea has been "attached" to Russia at various times. Ethnically it is signifcantly Russian (and Tartar). Crimea is more Russian than modern day Ukrainian. Fact as you like to say.

Ah, you're talking about "state boundaries" now, are you?

Are you Owen Paterson in disguise?

The President left of his own accord, the government remained and it's structure ramains. Russia needs to get the f*** out of Ukraine and let them sort their own internal affairs. This isn't a country tearing itself apart, it's a people who got really angry with their President and got rid of him. Once he went the violence and the protests stopped - no civil war, no ethnic violence. In fact even the Crimean ethnic Russians and Ukranians have faced each other peacefully. There is absolutely no need for any Russian troops in Crimea.
I would say, if ethnic Russians in the Crimea found themselves the targets of violence, property seizures, murder, were being kicked out of their homes and business's, forced into camps, etc. then Russia could well be very justified in sending in troops to prevent that from continuing. But this is a land grab, pure and simple.
If you want an example of Russia intervening in the affairs of the former Soviet states then look at the devestation in Georgia. And boy, am I lovin the straight faced comments of Russian politicians talking about the West and Afghanistan - really? You can't remember Afghanistan, Soviet army, 10 years, ar$es handed to them etc...

If you want to talk about hypocrisy of the West then I would say that sitting on our bums doing nothing watching Russia invade another country that wanted to become part of NATO and eventually join the EU is a pretty good example. "There is nothing we can do, the Germans don't want to jeopardise their gas supplies...blah...blah..." Actually I think Russia is in a very vulnerable position right now. In the Cold War they were set up behind the iron curtain, self contained, ideologically driven with the sole intent of not ever being invaded from the West again. Now they have ventured into our world. They are capitalists who have all their business intrests in the West, they are run not by hardened communist party veterans who endured WW2 and Stalin's pogrom's they are run by gangsters who like fine champagne, big yachts and money - most of which they are stealing from their own people. And the place they spend it is in the West. Take that away from them and they will turn on Putin. If you ask them, do you want to carry on fleecing your country and partying at the most exclusive club in Europe or do you want to watch Putin wave his d**k around and annexe the Crimea, well, it's obvious.

Perfect time to take back Hyde Park One?

Is this a Ukrainian or Russian political prisoner, or are you talking about One Hyde Park?

Neither, it's David Moyes' new Korean striker I think.

The first act of this nw "government" was to ban Russian as an official language. I would suggest that was inflammatory.

The West supported (Kosovo) the division of the former Yugoslavia along ethnic grounds, against Russian wishes. Now the West does not support Russia taking action along those previously implemented grounds. I suppose you would prefer to await civil war and attempted ethnic cleansing before any action is taken or maybe not then?

Whichever way you look at it the West is just being anti-Russian and being inconsistent with their own previous actions in many parts of the world.

That would involve having backbone so it'll not happen.

Is Barraco Barner involved now too did I hear?