Ukraine Heats Up

[piece-itpete]

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

Several weeks ago I posted in this thread that the situation in Ukraine reminds me of 1914. Now Schmidt says the same.

Former chancellor and sozialist Helmut Schmidt, almost 96 years old, is the most respected public person in Germany, we call him our "highest moral authority". He is editor of the most reputated weekly newspaper "Die Zeit". This newspaper is left-wing liberal.

Last week he said in an interview that the situation is very dangerous, he is convinced that one spark could rise the tensions in a way they could trigger WWIII. He called the United States and Russia "sleepwalker".

Wouldn't it be something, if the de facto leader of the EU was actually in cahoots with Putin?

Pete

[Pio1980]

Let's hope things have achieved a state of tolerable equilibrium for everyone involved.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[HarmanKardon]

I hope that you guys are right. It is pretty oppressive living relatively close to the troubled Eastern Europe.

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

I hope that you guys are right. It is pretty oppressive living relatively close to the troubled Eastern Europe.

I was stationed at Auerbach when the Russkies came to Czechoslovakia to end the Pargue spring.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

I hope that you guys are right. It is pretty oppressive living relatively close to the troubled Eastern Europe.

I lived bicycling distance to the border fence outside of Fulda from 1978 - 1981. We'd bike out there and hike in the cleared area on the west side of the fence and make nasty hand gestures to the Russian and East German border guards. More fun, however, is when I'd hitch a ride from Fulda to Bad Hersfeld by helicopter occasionally and be paralleled by a Russian Hind helicopter a few hundred meters away. We'd stare at each other through binoculars for the entire ride. FWIW, I did this ride once with SecDef Caspar Weinberger. Pleasant fellow.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

I hope that you guys are right. It is pretty oppressive living relatively close to the troubled Eastern Europe.

Early your leader Merkel wanted a negotiated settlement, but the Russians
who were concerned about Crimea with its naval base and the Americans
who wanted a piece of the Ukrainian gas action complicated the situation.

[Pio1980]

Tripped over this looking for something else;
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesle...aine-is-wrong/
So, what is directing the Western viewpoint then other than the perception that Putin is a repeat of ego-driven1930s Stalin/Hitler style tyranny?

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

Tripped over this looking for something else;
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesle...aine-is-wrong/
So, what is directing the Western viewpoint then other than the perception that Putin is a repeat of ego-driven1930s Stalin/Hitler style tyranny?

Thanks for the links!

I repeat Putin does not want Eastern Ukraine. It would be a big load, a burden. After twenty years the Oligarchs are still running
wild there.

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Thanks for the links!

I repeat Putin does not want Eastern Ukraine. It would be a big load, a burden. After twenty years the Oligarchs are still running
wild there.

I think you are right about that in spite of the posturing that is going on, he should quit while he's ahead there.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

I think you are right about that in spite of the posturing that is going on, he should quit while he's ahead there.

Putin does not want to lose or embarrass his matriach Merkel.

He needs her for the modernization of Russian industries.

She is resisting pressure from the Americans to punish and delink Russia.

Germany export significantly to Russia and which is seen as a country for tremendous growth for her exports.

If she stops buying Russia gas WTF Russia going to use to buy her goods.

The Americans do not trust Miss Merkel. She is from East Germany and speaks
good Russian. I believe Putin was once stationed in East Germany. She and Putin speaks regularly.

Methinks the Americans believe she might be a Russian spy or at least beholden to the Russians.