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Another Russian bomber has been ‘escorted’ away from British airspace, this time having strayed as far south as the county (or, as some eccentrics believe, Nation) of Cornwall.
As terrifying as it sounds, this is actually becoming commonplace. Ordinarily, the Russian air force teases the UK by flying low over the North Sea within the political territory of Scotland. The choice of Cornwall this time around, demonstrates only an escalation of the same initiative.
We shouldn’t patronise ourselves by wondering why Russia has a problem with the UK. We will only consider how this problem may be solved before it transforms into something apocalyptic.
Firstly, we must recognise the reality of Russia, and how it threatens our hard-won European peace. There can be no longer any doubt as to whether Putin has intervened in Ukraine, and nor that this represents a dangerous violation of geopolitical custom and law.
Timothy Gartan Ash, the Guardian’s noted analyst of foreign affairs was consequently right to put the dispute in the following, brutal terms:
“Behind a smokescreen of lies”… “(Putin) has renewed his drive to carve out a puppet para-state in eastern Ukraine… Innocent bystanders are killed in the Black Sea port of Mariupol. In besieged Debaltseve a woman scoops water from a giant puddle in the road. The rubble that was once Donetsk airport recalls a scene from martyred Syria. About 5,000 people have already been killed in this armed conflict, and more than 500,000 uprooted. Preoccupied by Greece and the eurozone, Europe is letting another Bosnia happen in its own front yard. Wake up, Europe. If we have learned anything from our own history, Putin must be stopped.”
Although I have resisted the emotion, given my respect for Putin’s diplomatic manoeuvres on Syria and Libya, I must agree with Ash here. Putin must be driven back. If we have any respect or love for our continental security, military deterrents must be put in place. A rapid detachment of multinational EU troops should be sent to Western Ukraine and the Baltics in order to pre-empt and block any broadening of Putin’s aggression.
I am aware that I am here going against the prevailing argument within the CounterJihad tendency – the argument that Russia is a vital ally against Islam and should be welcomed back into the community of the Western World. I don’t disagree with the logic of it; my opposition is simply a matter of solidarity with Ukraine – another kindred state of Europe – in its time of need. No state deserves to be carved up by a foreign power, especially not by a power that previously presided over a policy of genocide in that country.
D, LDN.
Russia interfering with the Ukraine? Or is it the West doing a number on the Ukraine? If Putin is wicked, he has plenty of company among Western leaders. IMO the West has done a smear job on Putin and Russia’s justifiable concerns. Not to mention the question whether it is better to fall into the hands of the tyrannical EU or under the protection of Russia. From Canada.
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I agree that the West has interfered and stoked tensions there, but there are other ways of dealing with that. Putin has illegally invaded and mutilated the territory of a sovereign state.
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I’ve edited the post to take out Ash’s allusion to Slobodan Milosevic. I am totally against the creation of Kosovo and side with the Serbian people. That was an oversight when I pasted his quote.
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Orban and Putin have something going on too. Hungary has been on the wrong side of history several times already. But there is a growing alliance building against the EU inside Europe, as well. Various other alliances are being seriously formed all over the world more than ever, it seems. Could that be because nations are worried, in general? Or everyone decided to be bold while they can? Both?
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Hatred of the EU is leading right-wing parties to look favourably at Putin. Le Pen in France is doing the same. I’m not surprised Hungary is going the same way. Even in Britain, UKIP are largely pro-Russian.
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Or rather ‘Pro-Putin’. I’m pro-Russian. Russia shouldn’t be our enemy. Putin is making it our enemy.
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“A rapid detachment of multinational EU troops should be sent to Western Ukraine and the Baltics in order to pre-empt and block any broadening of Putin’s aggression.”
I think not. That’s how little conflicts blow up into major ones!
I was reading ‘The Guns of August’ about the start of WW1. A masterful description of how European politicians, in a move to ‘contain’ Germany, sleepwalked into a disastrous war that consumed Europe.
I’m afraid that the foolish EU politicians will again sleepwalk into a potential catastrophe.
DTMW, do you think that any of these EU politicians are wise enough to handle a troop deployment with maturity & restraint? What if the troops get killed by rebel gunfire. What if a hundred of these troops die in a mine explosion? Anything could happen in the fog of war.
“I am aware that I am here going against the prevailing argument within the CounterJihad tendency – the argument that Russia is a vital ally against Islam and should be welcomed back into the community of the Western World. I don’t disagree with the logic of it;”
I’m glad you’re aware of the logic in this. Let’s carry it to its logical conclusion and hope & work for a future where Russia is fully in and a proud member of the West and the Ukrainian-Russian border becomes more like the Franco-German border of today.
First, treat Russia with respect she thinks she deserves.
Second: Stop treating her like a hostile threat to Europe. She’s not. She is a PART of Europe.
Third: Arrive at a negotiated settlement in Eastern Ukraine. It’s hard but doable. Putin may be ruthless but he’s rational.
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Russia is out of control under Putin. We must be careful to distinguish Putin from Russia as a whole. Russia is our friend, Putin is (increasingly) our enemy. I don’t like having nuclear bombers flying over my airspace. It’s an open threat. You don’t see RAF bombers flying over Russia. We should never attack Russia, but we should make Putin understand that this expansion stops now.
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The hostilities in Ukraine would stop pretty quickly if there was an undertaking by the regime in Kiev to a) allow Russian to continue to be an official language in the east of Ukraine and b) they agreed not to join the EU or NATO but to enjoy an enhanced trade relationship with western Europe.
Truly, Putin is being used as a convenient distraction. I don’t see groups of Russians gathering together in clubs planning to kill non-Russians or blow up public events to replace Western democracy with Soviet-style government. And yet the most outlandish abuse is heaped on Putin whereas Muslim leaders are lavished with undeserved praise.
Do I like Putin? Not at all. I think he is grasping and ruthless, perhaps even a murderer. But to make him out to be a bogeyman and the most evil man on the planet is to treat the public as fools. We know where the greatest threat to our safety and peace originates – and it isn’t Moscow.
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Perhaps Ukraine joining NATO would be a provocation, but why don’t Ukrainians have the right to join the EU? I don’t like the EU, but it’s a question of Ukrainian self-determination. If Putin could just be ousted, we could get Russia back on our side. Russia is an integral and vital part of the West. Putin seems to oppose this idea.
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RUSSIAN AGES-OLD POLITICAL “METHODS” “CONTROLLING” RECYCLING MASS-PSYCHOSIS
WE NEED TO EDUCATE OURSELVES on RUSSIAN HISTORY, well documented as NON-STOP TERROR. This country is historically very young if compared with the rest of Western Europe especially with great ancient civilization. SLAVERY has never been demolished or replaced in Russia, the majority has been serfs for ages.
One method to inslave people “forever” is to keep them permanently scared. Russian are still scared, especially of “vicious outsiders” Foreigners, whose languages and history they do NOT know except Russian manipulated, “translated” and twisted “info” !!!!
If Knowing the West first hand many Russians would flee to freedom elsewhere, away from their bloody rulers/ slavedrivers many ages ago (like many talented Russian writers, composers, artists, scientists, philosophers..)
So… the old history Repeats itself, and right now we witness how Russians become mad aggressors against their own prosperity under the old-rotten putin’s regime.. The Rulers goal is old as history — let people die of hunger, incurable alcoholism and bloody crimes, but KEEP THEM ALL in their dark ignorance about the world and themselves. NEVER let them go anywhere abroad, unless they are to “serve” Russian government !!! NEVER let them learn about true history of the world, languages, morals, and God- forbid.. do not let them think soberly!!!!!!! You better Stay drunk or stupid and defend this way of living !!
If back in1812 Russian peasant-serfs, who never had a clue about human rights, were viciously attacking Napoleon’s soldiers with shovels in hands, they were “DEFENDING the MOTHERLAND” from their FREEDOM and Human Rights !!!
Since Napoleonic war Russian population never understood what their “Victory” over Napoleon really meant for Russia — the only “thing” they successfuly defended was their bloody SLAVERY or SERFDOM. That horror of having No human rights continues to the recent days!!
(Well, but by wearing foreign jeans they cannot think they are civilized people, just like some Westerners..)
MASS PSYCHOSIS ~ that is how a great Russian scientist and researcher, Vladimir Bekhterev, categorized Russian-mob behavior and mentality. (this outstanding scientist was murdered by the “great” ruler, Stalin)
Using the old “methods” of ruling mobs Putin is taking advantage of people’s ignorance, desperation and illnesses, moreover, he shares with the population his own outstanding ignorance, lack of real basic knowledge.
He keeps advertising nationalistic HATE against everything that is “non-Russian”. This makes easy for him to
pose as a “defender” of Russian people. This is a powerful acting trick for CONFUSING and MANIPULATING crowds.
Putin himself does not know what thruth means. Why to allow Russians Free Trade if they cannot produce anything really valuable? Why give them open access to unbiased education? or allow them to produce on their own, buy land build or farm on it? Contemporary Russians know nothing of that sort of life-style..
I trust that sooner or later, some day, all Putin’s imbecilic and very BLOODY strategies AGAINST HIS OWN PEOPLE will be revealed after careful dissection of his “deeds”.
FOR THE SOBERLY THINKING WESTERNERS : THE ONLY GREATEST WEAPON AGAINST the great mental-instituion built and ruled by Russian Government
IS TO PROVIDE RUSSIANS WITH TRUE well-documented INFORMATION about their Reality – Russians must be informed and somehow educated, not brainwashed. Invite Russians to see for themselves how the world is living, show real bad and real good.
Russians might have a chance to survive, but only if they try to become independent from their outrageous ignorance, begin to productively WORK for THEMSELVES and
take responsibility for feeding and educating their own children.
First and foremost Russians must learn that Putin and his gang are playing games with them, because they keep steeling money (trillions) that belong to Russian people.
The blindely-“patriotic” hungry, depressed, helplessly drunk and angry Russians do NOT SEE that by following their Leader, they go nowhere but towards their own death. Russian leaders unintentionally show the world that they are wretched thieves robbing & destroying their own country. They will be soon mentioned in modern history, as small-minded miserable criminals.
Grabbing others’ land by bloody force is an old method known from the begining of Russian history, but unlike the West who brought some skills for producing goods and some little civilization to colonized countries, Russians brought SLAVERY, POVERTY, cultural and economic DESTRUCTION and DESPERATION to all countries they conquered..
Russians must find the true real cause of their poverty, and stop to be their worst enemies.
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This week, one of our bewildered statesmen said that the world is more complicated than at any point of history, making it so much harder to handle global situations… LOL. Yes, it’s become multicultural, and insomuch as one doesn’t know who one’s countrymen are, it does affect alliances. Duh! If you think globalized enterprise is bereft of national goodwill, what could possibly go wrong with globalized citizenry? Not everyone is a well-groomed, friendly international merchant… and this bully-pulpit regionalism as a cure to everything might unravel in a big bang.
Our VP’s son is an energy wheeler-dealer in the Ukraine. I keep hearing that old CCR song in my head about senators’ sons…
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Indeed, I support free trade between countries but the idea that we have to become a stew of every kind is ridiculous.
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RUSSIAN POLITIC AND RECYCLING MASS_PSYCHOSIS
WE NEED TO EDUCATE OURSELVES on RUSSIAN HISTORY, documented as NON-STOP TERROR. This country is very young if compared with the rest of Western Europe especially with great ancient civilization. SLAVERY has never been demolished or replaced in Russia, the majority has been serfs for ages.
One method to slave people “forever” is to keep them scared. Russian are still scared, especially of “vicious outsiders” Foreigners!!!!
Knowing the West many Russians would flee to freedom elsewhere, away from their bloody rulers/ slavedrivers ages ago, instead of fighting them… (like many talented Russian writers, composers, artists, scientists, philosophers..)
So… the old history Repeats itself, and right now we witness how Russians become mad aggressors against their own prosperity under the old-rotten putin’s regime.. The Rulers goal is old as history — let people die of hunger, incurable alcoholism and bloody crimes, but KEEP THEM ALL in their dark ignorance, about the world and themselves. NEVER let them go anywhere abroad unless they “serve” the government !!! NEVER let them learn about true history of the world, languages, morals, and God- forbid.. do not let them to think soberly!!!!!!! Stay drunk or stupid!!
If back in1812 Russian peasant-serfs, who never had a clue about human rights, were viciously attacking Napoleon’s soldiers with shovels in hands, they were “DEFENDING the MOTHERLAND” !!!
Since Napoleonic war Russian population never understood what their “Victory” really meant for Russia — the only “thing” they successfuly defended was their bloody SLAVERY or SERFDOM, horror of having not human rights of any sort, that they were “enjoying” to the recent days!! Well, but by wearing foreign jeans they think they are civilized just like Westerners..
Mass Psychosis, that is how a great Russian scientist and researcher has identified popular-Russian-behavior and mentality. (this outstanding scientist was murdered by the “great” ruler, Stalin)
Using the old “methods” Putin is taking advantage of people’s ignorance and illnesses, moreover, he shares with the rest his lack of real basic knowledge about Everything. He advertises nationalistic HATE against everything that is “non-Russian”,
and poses as a “defender” of Russian people, what can be more “powerful” for CONFUSING and MANIPULATING crowds?
Why give them the truth, if Putin himself does not know what it means, Why to allow them Free Trade if they cannot produce anything really valuable except weapons for the Government? Why give them open access to unbiased education, or teach them how to produce on their own, let them buy land build or farm on it? Contemporary Russians know nothing of that sort of life-style..
I trust that sooner or later, some day, all Putin’s imbecilic and very BLOODY strategies AGAINST HIS OWN PEOPLE will be revealed after careful dissection of his “deeds”.
FOR THE SOBERLY THINKING WESTERNERS : THE ONLY GREATEST WEAPON AGAINST the great mental-instituion ruled by Russian Government
IS TRUE well-documented INFORMATION – Russians must be informed and somehow educated, not brainwashed.
Well, they might have a chance to survive, but only by learning how to learn in general, how productively WORK for THEMSELVES and feed their children.
First and foremost Russians must learn that Putin and his gang are playing brainwashing games with them, and keep steeling money (trillions) that belong to Russian people. The blindely-“patriotic” hungry, depressed, helplessly drunk and angry Russians follow their Leader, but towards their own death. Russian state leaders are major thieves that would soon be mentioned in modern history.
Russians must be explained WHY they MUST STOP following lies, stop destroying their own country and themselves.. Right now Russians are their worst enemies.
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