Russian President Vladimir Putin has apparently ordered troops near the Ukrainian border to withdraw to their bases. Could this be a sign that the Kremlin is trying to de-escalate the situation? It’s difficult to say for certain, partly because Russia has made similar statements in the past, but also because Putin’s game plan has been particularly unpredictable as of late; even seasoned Russia-watchers have been finding it tricky to guess his next move. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is reported to have gone so far as to describe Mr Putin as “out of touch with reality” after speaking to him by phone following the occupation of the Crimean peninsula.
It’s certainly a challenge to justify Russia’s recent behaviour in terms of national self-interest. The annexation of Crimea has already severely damaged the Russian economy by hundreds of billions of euros – possibly even plunging Russia back into recession. But is it irrational? Mr Putin – who is fond of unusual photo opportunities (including leading endangered migratory birds in a hang glider and “discovering” ancient Greek amphorae in the Black Sea) – is certainly a colourful character, but then the same could be said of many world leaders.
Still, in international relations it pays to send clear signals and behave in a way that is easily understandable to your counterparts. Doing otherwise can risk misunderstandings and lead to a more unstable international system, to the detriment of everybody. We had a comment sent in from Peter asking if Mr Putin’s actions were rational and predictable to other governments: “Does anybody understand Mr. Putin?”
To get an answer, we recently put this question to Martin Lidegaard, the Foreign Minister of Denmark. Did he think Putin’s behaviour was easily understandable, or did he agree with Chancellor Merkel’s assessment?
Many of our commenters, however, considered Putin’s actions to be entirely rational. Tarquin, for example, suggested that Russia was simply reacting to the clumsy geopolitical maneuverings of the European Union, which had provoked the current crisis by trying to bring Ukraine into the EU and NATO.
When we recently spoke with Miroslav Lajčák, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, we asked him to respond to Tarquin’s suggestion:
That’s not true. First of all, NATO membership has never been discussed when it comes to Ukraine. Second, when it comes to the European Union, we have negotiated the Association Agreement and this Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine for more than four years now, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
What provoked people and made them come into the streets was the decision of the then-President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovich, to refuse to sign the EU Association Agreement, and this is what his people disliked and protested against. So, Europe was not pushing Ukraine anywhere – it was Ukraine’s will to have the Association Agreement signed, and when that will was overruled the current chain of actions was triggered.
However, George Vella, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta, was slightly more sympathetic to Tarquin’s view when we spoke to him:
I have been on record as saying that the European Union was too naive in thinking that they could engage the European neighborhood countries and offer Association Agreements – deep and comprehensive free trade areas – and hope that Russia would not react. We know full well that when we are talking about Ukraine we are talking about a country of 46 million people that is economically, historically, demographically, socially, you name it, part of Russia – it is tied to Russia. So, anybody would have expected that Russia would react…
How would the Danish Foreign Minister, Martin Lidegaard, respond? Which of his colleagues did he agree with more?
Finally, how has the Ukraine crisis been affecting the ability of the international community to resolve other conflicts? For example, we had a comment from Emmanuel suggesting that – as one of the Syrian government’s biggest backers – Russia would be vital for any successful peace process in the Syrian civil war. Minister Lidegaard said he agreed, but added that “the status quo is not an option in Syria” anymore, and either there must be a negotiated solution or the West will be forced to increase support for the Syrian opposition Coalition.
Have Russia’s actions in Ukraine been rational and understandable according to Russian self-interest? Or is Vladimir Putin acting according to his gut instincts in an unpredictable manner? Does Moscow have a clear long-term strategy? And does the European Union know how to respond? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below, and we’ll take them to policy-makers and experts for their reactions.
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The EU is obviously drifting ?and out of touch with reality??
@Karel Van Isacker
Well said!
that’s it.
wait till monday and you ll find out who is drifting out of touch with reality
No more EU, the real name is EUSA
I hope not. and actually not italian people. that’s why we’d like to get decisional power worldwide by europe. guess u knew so. everybody has the right to improve, …maybe asking for “help” by ….someone……
Strategically Yes… Its his P.R skills & overconfidence that are problematic. But lets give Russia a Chance i.e Free Trade Agreement!
I saw sadness in Putin’s face while declaring war. He was forced to. I guess it’s not only me who realized it.
Ever wondered what are connections between eurosceptics and Putin?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfB9wCR5Y_M&feature=youtu.be
Like we didn’t know.
It’s widely know FASCISTS ( stop calling them “euroskeptics” – most parties against the EU are also extremely xenophobic, racist and right-wing in ideology ) support Putler.
Which should be interesting for russian media to justify since Putler is “fighting ukrainian nazis”.
I think the EU is totally out of touch. You are being so idiots that you believe people are still believing you. the social media fu**ED up your plan to turn europe into another USSR. Most people are with putin and not Schulz, Barroso and co
Have you read the comments in the EUSSR’s Putin-bashing youtube post above? :)
:) Did you ask the same question those other guys in 2003, or few years ago?
Pathetic Russophobia propaganda .. Hes not the one backing full blown Nazis in Kiev who burn humans alive in buildings, the EU is though .. Russia isnt drowing in financial crisis, EU is though, Russia isnt embroiled in fantasy land wars, EU is though .. The question should be put to Mr Barrosoo and Van Rumpuy the unelcted bankers.
Russia is a gas station disguised as a country.
Oil price drops = r.i.p. Russia.
Unfortunately the US & EU’s actions in Ukraine have been far less rational and understandable.
Russia needs and must be stop disrupting Ukraine. Ukrainian s are a smaller country can’t defend themselves. How about messing with some one their size on power
It is the US-UK-EU who is out of control. Russia is having to cope with lunatics on its doorstep. Those in the Ukraine who want to be part of Russia must free themselves of this enforced take over of their country and unite in what they perceive as their best interests. It is not the business of EU states and its citizens to force Ukrainian people to do anything they wish to resist.
And it’s not for the Ukrainian people to expect those tax payers in the EU states to save their ass when they fall on their own petard. ‘They’ must sort out the future of their homeland and not expect others to do it for them.
If the Ukrainian people want to be part of the US, then apply to them directly to be one of their States. It has nothing to do with European citizens. It is in the best interests of all European peoples to remain on good terms with their Russian neighbours. Putin’s people are a lot happier with him than we currently are with our leaders.
Next thing you know, Poland, and Estonia will “want to join Russia”…after a little influx of “russian tourists” and “russian journalists” armed with anti-air missiles…err..i mean cameras.
Ukraine forget democracy, and forget half of population that vote the former president, now that population forget Ukraine.. fair!!!
It was the EU (mostly Germany and its poodle France) that caused the Ukraine dilemma. The Brussels apparatchiks are now waging a propaganda war against Putin/Russia in order to deflect the blame.
Putin is no angel BUT the EU caused this crisis in Putin’s backyard and it is the EU ‘Blood Brothers’ (Germany and France) that are in fact ‘out of touch with reality’.
He said the international community is succeeding in isolating Russia politically and economically. He said there has been a “tremendous flight of capital from the country” along with instability with the Russian currency, the ruble, and its stock market.The ratings agency Standard & Poor’s cut Russia’s credit rating Friday to one level above “junk status” because investors were pulling money out of country.
Stop with the anti-Russian propaganda, I am quite disappointed and insulted that I live in Union that supports the fascists government in Ukraine that you helped to install. EU is the first one to criticize Putin and his autocratic views, yet I wonder, who elected the nazi government sitting in the Ukraine Parliament? Oh right, nobody because there were no democratic elections there. My ancestors fought against the Third Reich invaders, why? So we can live in a union that supports the ideology that destroyed millions? No! Every EP who supports Ukraine’s coup imposed government should consider resigning. And of course, then you go comparing Putin’s actions to Hitler? I don’t know who could be compared to Hitler better, Putin who is trying to protect his own people and Russian’s interest in Ukraine? Or EU along with their “most trusted friend”, USA, who help install the nationalist into the parliament? Thank god people are not so naive and don’t fall for this propaganda machine that is targetting Russia.
well, I think that there’s the possibility to talk lots of time before war. Nomore time for humans to kill one another. absolutely NOT FOR MONEY NOR RELIGIONS.
“Is Vladimir Putin drifting ‘out of touch with reality’?”
What question is that ?
Remind me last time when russians kept their word regarding ANY agreement inter nations. They are notorious historical back stabbers and greedy imperialists. Why Putin should be different ?
P.S.
Friendly advice, ask their neighboring countries about that.
Is Vladimir Putin drifting ‘out of touch with reality’?
If this question is asked in Portugal for instance you might have a different answer let say coming from a polak or a romanian. In the minds of many “anti US of A “and “anti EU”, “anti NATO” or ” Euro skeptics ” Putin (The Slavic Messiah ) is described as the new Khrushchev, “The Man” I might add, however I have strong doubts about it. There is a “full speed” propaganda machine coming from Kremlin these days. Information/Disinformation/Deceiving/intimidating/Denigrating and all the other tools are quite present in the media and don’t be surprised even here on this debate I’m quite sure there are people serving shady purposes and not personal views as only the naive people might believe.
I have my doubts about Putin and Putinland too.
But at least someone isn’t afraid to stand up to the bankrupt states of the western world, and in bankrupt I mean both financially and morally.
How many people died in Iraq as a consequence of Bush/Blair and their fellow warmongers? And how many in Crimea because of Putin? Last time I checked it was about a quarter of a million to zero. And the US and its Brussels based lackeys is trying to claim the moral high ground here! Now that is what I call stunningly arrogant.
Does the western world really think its disproportional wealth is going to last? Especially when you consider this depends on the rest of the worlds disproportional poverty. No wonder the IMF and World Bank do what they do, its their assigned role after all, loot the place in Africa and elsewhere to prop up western hegemony a few more years.
What a shame the world cannot sustain everyone on current western living standards… something’s gotta give…
There is a certain dosage of hypocrisy coming from Western Hemisphere that I cannot deny, but put in balance with Russia’s past, present and probably future, for me personally, there is no choice. Democracy as way of living is taken for granted and probably become a dusty and old principle in the West (bla, bla, democracy…), but here is the East with Russia as “neighbour” is (was) just a temporary ( deeply appreciated ) luxury. If you like to perceive Obama as the bad boy and Putin the good one, you are free to say it out loud, democracy is generous enough even with it’s own detractors.
@Marcel: PR-aising Putler to bash Obama, the economic crisis and the current political class or even O-bomb-a, is fine but calling out that he is “good guy” is totally dumb.
Even if you remove all the falsities the guy INVADED a sovereign country.
This enough should be a worrying trend.
But, NO. Instead, let’s argue amongst ourselves a bit more about how this EU we got is “EUSSR” or some other right-wing propaganda idiocy.
I’m sure THAT will solve things for sure.
Eu helped Serbia get away with warcrimes and avoid responsibility for the Balkans conflict in the 90’s.Slobodan Milosevic used serbian minority in other countries to take parts of neighbouring countries and Putin is doing the same.Putin saw that this can be done by littke Serbia so why wouldnt he get away with it.During the conflicts in the Balkams UK urged Croatia to give up its territory to Milosevic so the war would end and Milosevic would be pleased.Now its asking the oposite from Putin.Double standards by UK.Btw. John Major and Douglas Hurd should have been tried before the ICTY in The Hague.Same goes for Carl Bildt.
And Mr.Lajcak knows exactly what i’m talking about,
is EU drifting out of touch with reality? commeon… compare the “deomocratic” way of russia invasion with the bloody way the USA invade other countries… it seems PUTIN is an angel compared with Obama. I think both are in the top ten of assassins in the world… but if I have to choose an army to invade us… i prefer the russian.
This is a comedy group?or what?
Is Putin losing touch with reality? I doubt that very much. He is exceedingly intelligent and well able to confuse his enemies. Backing the interim govt in Ukraine is a bold albeit strategically unsound move. While its no secret that Putin wants to restore Russia to it’s former glory, I think it would have been much smarter to involve russia in trade talks than going behind their back and trying to pinch ( therefore costing Russia billions) Ukraine
The Russian and President Putin t have change the its way the t be of World the politics.Because t have the switch radical the radicalism the Russian and World
@DEBATINGEUROPE
Thanks for posing my point of view on the matter, the only issue I have [and I may well be wrong] is that I do NOT recall mentioning ‘Ukraine gaining NATO membership’ as that is ILLEGAL under Ukraine law AND more importantly it would NOT be in the interests of RUSSIA as has been articulated by same on several occasions.
As regards Miroslav Lajčák he didn’t quite grasp the fact [he is only a politican after all] that the EU’s attempt to ‘bring-in’ Ukraine into the EU sphere of influence was “a red rag to a bear” and hence the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine.
What is just as intriguing though is who directed the EU powers that be to engage in such a dangerous strategy?
Until this question is candidly answered AND rectified the UNDEMOCRATIC EU will continue to cause problems for its citizens, its states and indeed the wider world at large.
I thank you for
You should look up the dodgy role played by neocon Victoria Nuland (US representative to Ukraine). Then you will know who exactly helped provoke this socalled ‘revolution’ on behalf of the IMF/US State Department/Brussels’ Supreme Soviet
I, living in a western European country, do not wish to see even a single resource spent to prop up Ukraine. Many here feel the same or at least similarly. This is not our business. NATO should be disbanded as its past its sell-by date anyhow.
Let’s referendum on this question.
@Marcel
I agree about not financially helping Ukraine – that’s Russia’s jon.
I disagree about disbanding NATO as Russia would exploit such a scenario to ‘acquire’ more land/countries.
As regards ‘Victoria Nuland’ – the EU started cutting a trade deal with Ukraine a year+ before Victoria Nuland started her current job.
Let’s not and throw you right-wing nuts in prison where you belong already.
If it were up to you the poor of Europe would starve to death to because you “don’t want you precious tax euros go to the moochers”.
Think before you write, genius.
You disband NATO and truly NOTHING will stop Putler.
I completely agree! As a citizen of the United States I am tired of sending troops and resources to the far corners of the world because of outdated treaties and for some sort of “common good” or “humanity”. For example: In 2012 the United States gave $800 million (USD) in aid to Russia and $500 million (USD) in aid to the Ukraine out of the $50 billion (USD) given in foreign aid by the federal government that year. That does not include private aid provided by non-government US institutions which amounted to around $80 billion (USD) for a total of $130 billion (USD) in one single year! I too would much rather we invest those resources in our own nation and leave the rest of the world to solve its own problems. We know we have enough issues here in the United States to not meddle in the affairs of other nations. I know that regions that are rich in resources, ingenuity and are led by generally level headed individuals like most of Europe, Russia as well as China and its neighbors will arrive at a quick and lasting peace once we remove ourselves from the discussion.
I have hope for those that share a more isolationist outlook: today President Obama acknowledged then tried to down play the growing sentiment here in the United States that would greatly reduce our involvement on the global stage (if not outright cut military ties with much of the world) beyond the most basic theater of global trade. There are many political leaders and candidates that are riding this wave as we enter a new election season. Perhaps a new day is dawning in which the only time a European sees a US citizen is in European tourist traps and via business teleconference!
@urbanut
I fully agree. The world would be much better off
without american boots everywhere.
As for continental europe, i can only say
Ami go home!
Go fast and go silent.
And dont forget your spies.
Marcel,
You tell that to the families who lost their loved ones in two wars to defend you and your family. You would not even be here on this board if it were not for NATO and the United States of America. I wish we would abandon you and maybe we could have decent roads, schools, and healthcare like you do! Unbelievable hypocrisy and ignorance. It infuriates most Americans. We come to your rescue time and again, and your very livelihood has been propped up by American economic policy for last 75 years. Read a history a book.
@.
Who is Putler?
Please do NOT disband NATO as Putin/”Russia would exploit such a scenario to ‘acquire’ more land/countries.”
Tarquin Farquhar:
I completely agree re: disbanding NATO! As a citizen of the United States, I am tired of sending troops and resources to the far corners of the world because of outdated treaties and for some sort of “common good” or “humanity”. For example: In 2012 the United States gave $800 million (USD) in aid to Russia and $500 million (USD) in aid to the Ukraine out of the $50 billion (USD) given in foreign aid by the US federal government that year. That does not include private aid provided by non-government US institutions which amounted to around $80 billion (USD) for a total of $130 billion (USD) in one single year! I too would much rather we invest those resources here in the United States and leave the rest of the world to solve its own problems. We know we have enough issues here in the US to not meddle in the affairs of other nations. I know that regions that are rich in resources, ingenuity and are led by generally level headed individuals like most of Europe, Russia as well as China and its neighbors will arrive at a quick and lasting peace once we remove ourselves from the discussion.
I have hope for those that share a more isolationist outlook: today President Obama acknowledged then tried to down play the growing sentiment here in the United States that would greatly reduce our involvement on the global stage (if not outright cut military ties with much of the world) beyond the most basic theater of global trade. There are many political leaders and candidates that are riding this wave as we enter a new election season. Perhaps a new day is dawning in which the only time a European sees a US citizen is in European tourist traps and via business teleconference!
@Urbanut
Much as I do not favour some EU countries – I wouldn’t want them to be invaded by Russia again EVEN though it would save my country billions.
Also, the US will struggle to tame China [IF AT ALL POSSIBLE] without allies – even some of the ‘dodgy’ ones in NATO.
While I would have agreed just a few short years ago, the overwhelming message we are receiving in the United States can be summarized as “butt out” (please forgive the vulgar language). I think citizens in the United States is becoming increasingly susceptive to the idea. I personally am unconvinced that the US is necessary to counter any threats posed to the sovereignty of existing European nation states by Russia – it certainly has not hindered Russia’s ambitions as of late. While a mutual defense pact to counter such threats may be in the best interest of the nations of Europe, such cooperation could be an easily achieved diplomatic venture which might also afford said nations the ability to create a new strategic military alliance for the 21st century that is focused more on regional needs.
Regarding China, I would agree to your point but it is based on the assumption that the United States should be concerned with containing China in the first place. Remove the perceived desire to “tame” China, which is jockeying to become a regional power at best, and the need for extensive investment in dated military alliances quickly evaporates. Considering the current state of foreign affairs between the nations of southeast Asia, it would seem logical that a level of cooperation would develop between the nations of Asia as a counter to any threat posed by China’s long term ambitions.
Of course, such an isolationist stance assumes a departure from similar foreign affair doctrines employed by the United States in the past. In this case, the United States would continue to invest in its own military and strategic resources within its existing territories. This may sound as if it is simply my own isolated opinion, but I cannot take credit for these ideas. As mentioned earlier, many national leaders, elected officials and aspiring politicians here in the United States are basing their platforms on such an approach. The support for these individuals is very real. Whether it gains enough traction to influence United States policies will become evident in the near future.
@Urbanut
There are no actual “threats posed to the sovereignty of existing European nation states by Russia”. And Putin is not a lunatic. Putin knows full well that Russia considerably depends on the EU as the trade partner. Putin was actually reacting to a situation created at Russia’s border by the USA (who financed the Ukrainian opposition for a decade, including openly neo-Nazi groups, was instrumental in the break-out of the violent coup against a democratically elected president, and have been pulling strings in creating the new government — if not simply calling the shots — as evidenced by the leaked Victoria Nuland phone call). Despite the propaganda that we hear from the Western media, he’s been largely successful in his containment plan: a “return” of the Crimea is out of the question already, a real, grass-roots rebellion of the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine against the new government is very probable, and a federation plan for Ukraine is on the table. The American analysts are already conceding that the most probable scenario is the return of Russian domination over Ukraine, and it would cost some 50-60 bln USD to “buy” Ukraine independence — and this money would mostly end up in Moscow, as the 40 bln USD discount on gas supplies that Yanukovytch had negotiated with Putin will almost certainly not be available to the new regime.
I must say I’m glad to hear that the isolationist attitudes are growing in popularity in the USA. I’d certainly feel safer if bushfires like the Ukrainian one were not started right at the EU border. Here’s hoping the isolationists will actually refrain from kindling them in the foreseeable future.
@Grzegorz Staniak
Your first 2 sentences can be summed up in one word – RUBBISH!
Whether you like it or not Russia is an aggressive, acquisitive land-grabber!
PS:The Ukraine situation WAS caused by the EU/German-hegemony admittedly.
@Tarquin Farquhar
Sorry, but you don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not particularly interested neither in American propaganda about Russia (look who’s talking anyway), nor in in your clear obsession about the EU (you need to be a lunatic to accuse the EU of causing the Ukraine crisis given the “f**k the EU” revelations from Victoria Nuland, billions of US investment in Ukraine opposition groups, or their activity at the time of the coup). The subject of this discussion is the alleged irrationality of Putin’s actions — and that’s what is RUBBISH. He’s protecting his sphere of influence against the American policy of creating a unipolar world, his steps are well-calculated (like withdrawing Russian troops from the borders), and he’s winning. There’s no way the West (EU, USA or both) can turn this situation to their advantage at the moment. Give the Russian-speaking Ukrainian people the gas price hike that seems inevitable now, the 50% pension cut that follows from the IMF conditions for the loan that’s being discussed, and you’ll see them run back to Mother Russia in no time. This will end in prolonged chaos, a break-up of Ukraine, or a masive pro-Russian backlash. Either way, Putin is gonna come out of this in much better position than the EU or the USA.
@Grzegorz Staniak
On the subject of this forum may I refer you to the following text which was used to commence this very debate:
“Tarquin, for example, suggested that Russia was simply reacting to the clumsy geopolitical maneuverings of the European Union, which had provoked the current crisis by trying to bring Ukraine into the EU and NATO.”
Please have the courtesy to engage with the forum content on a more INFORMED basis before putting finger to keyboard as you may [as on this occasion] embarrass yourself with your UNDER-INFORMED rantings.
Incidentally, Russia IS an aggressive, acquisitive land-grabber or are you SPECTACULARLY IGNORANT of Kaliningrad/Germany, South Ossetia/Georgia, Karelia/FInland, Crimea/Ukraine…
PS: The EU was [as I have said in this very forum before] the catalyst for the whole UKRAINE situation we observe today, as a result I cannot blame Russia for [cleverly?] responding in the way it has done.
PPS: You apparently have misinterpreted the meaning of the word ‘lunatic’ old bean.
@Tarquin Farquhar
I’m sorry, but you suggesting to others to speak “on a more informed basis” is simply hilarious. You’re offering nothing more than pompous, self-righteous assertions and opinions, quite clearly dissociated from actual humble reality: it was not EU who spent 5 bln USD financing Ukrainian opposition groups, including openly neo-Nazi ones, it wasn’t EU officials who pulled the strings during the violent coup that overthrew a democratically elected president of Ukraine (have you read the leaked Victoria Nuland phone call?), and it wasn’t EU who used the threat of blocking the IMF loan if the new regime doesn’t crush the real, grass-roots protests in the south-east of Ukraine, which immediately prompted the Odessa Trade Unions Building massacre on May 2nd — the US government has the blood of up to 270 victims on their hands, beside the responsibility for the prolonged chaos in Ukraine and all that it will bring to its people. I’m afraid no amount of shouting and foot-stamping from you will be able to change the facts.
For your information, German and Finnish borders were established by the USSR, not Russia, and in the case of Germany (the Kaliningrad region) actually blessed by UK and the USA during the Potsdam conference. In the South Osetia wars Georgia was the agressor — during the first war, Russian forces actively prevented ethnic clashes, acting as peace-keeping forces of sorts. The Crimea was part of Russian territory since the middle of 18th century, and was “presented” to the Ukraine Soviet Republic by Nikita Khrushchev only in 1951, for internal reasons; the situation of eastern Ukraine regions (Donetsk, Luhansk) is similar. Check your facts before you start pontificating about “informed basis” next time, buddy. Your black and white vision of the post-Soviet politics, with the Russians as if snipped straight from some cold war American propaganda comic book is extremely childish.
@Grzegorz Staniak
STOP trying to defend the indefensible!
Russia was, has and is an aggressive, acquisitive land-grabber.
Your febrile, fetid, facund-less, fanatical and fetid support for such an obvious fact is both ODIUS and AMUSING, comrade.
@Tarquin
Well, it seems you suddenly like the idea of suppressing other people’s opinions, don’t you? Caught the CENSORSHIP virus that you complained so much about recently? “STOP saying things I don’t like to hear, ’cause I don’t have any arguments to counter them, and I NEED to believe my propaganda!”. You’re so sweet, my young friend.
Or actually a bit pathetic. It’s very clear that you don’t know anything about Russia’s history, nor about the post-Soviet politics of the region, and all you can do is repeat your usual, prejudice-based lines straight from American propaganda handbooks. “Agressive”, you say? Well, that’s subjective, but let’s review that claim comparing Russia to a democratic, peace-loving nation like, say, the USA. How many military bases does Russia have deployed outside its borders? Compare with the USA. How many of the bases are located in countries bordering with the USA? Again, compare the vice versa. In how many countries bordering with the USA has Russia infiltrated the governments or installed new ones through violent coups? Compare once more. When was the last time Russia killed over 80 schoolchildren in an air-strike, and over 3000 civilians in a few year’s period? Do you want me to spell the dates and places for the USA?
“Acquisitive”, you say? Russia accepted the dissolution of the Soviet Union and then the independence of its former republics, losing _a lot_ of former territories, and agreed to the unification of Germany in a deal in which the USSR was assured that the NATO would not expand to the east. That the West broke this promise is not actually a surprise, since the West is well known for its hypocrisy. However, to allege today that Russia is an “aggressive” country led by people who lose touch with reality is an absurdity. Russia is using counter-measures that it has available in order to prevent being surrounded by trigger-happy, war-mongering believers in the first-strike doctrine — this is self-defense, not aggression.
And it’s not in the least a surprise that there will always be packs of tail-wagging good little American doggies like you, licking the master’s feet and barking when ordered to. Master wants to attack another country, master lies like before about Iraq, so go little British doggies, keep on barking, helping to create the threat propaganda, helping to create justification for another war — maybe you’ll get a few bones from master’s table, like you got leftovers in Iraq.
@Tarquin Farquhar
As regards your pro-Russian drivel/propaganda – dream on.
Russia was, has and is an aggressive, land-grabbing nation. I’ve given you the facts, mull-over them, cogitate, ruminate, digest and THINK dispassionately – if you can dear comrade and you will realise the error of your ways.
FTR, let me CORRECT YOU – I know at least 1 fact about Russian [barbaric?] history eg Peter The Great was tall; thus your assertion about my absolute lack of knowledge regarding Russian history is not only INCORRECT but is a wonderfully amusing example of someone who is limited by binary thinking. LOL!
Incidentally, for your own sake, please refrain from your homosexual overtones to me [I am flattered but unfortunately for you I am otherwise engaged in a relationship, sorry] as to do so in Russia [if you are cursed to live in such a forsaken, barbaric, aggressive and undemocratic place] could land you in a lot of trouble.
Incidentally, I actually AGREE with you regarding the EU’s IMMORAL attempts to lasso Ukraine into the EU and NATO – I can understand why Russia has ‘Putin’ its foot down. [Sorry about the pun.]
Finally, in answer to YOUR question regarding “dates and places” my response is yes please!
NO i dont think putin is out of touch with anything he is being pushed into a corner again wrongly why all of these sanctions other countries get away with far worse nothing happens it is so sad that bullies can tell other countries what to do .OR ELSE
Putin is our realty