Ukraine Heats Up

[Samm]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Miss Merkel does not trust US and the Brits. She feels the Brits are too
closely allied with US and often they just follow.

Latest I have heard is that she has rejected kicking out Russia from the G8.

BTW if every time something happens in the international arena the shout goes
out to freeze Bank accounts people will get pretty smart and stop bringing
their money into the US.

In the long run certain isolation is good for Russia. It gives Russia a chance
to develop internally. Russia is huge, spanning several time zones. However
the Oligarchs are more interested in sending their money abroad instead of
investing it internally. "Isolation" might spur internal investment.

Putin, because of his strong connect to the security organs was powerful
enough to get them (the Oligarchs) to pay tax. Mfers did not want to pay
tax...one percent clique!

Russia is advancing their Infrastructure south into Asia rapidly since Europe is not paying Gazprom bills. They owe now in the billions and are trying to pay it but have fallen behind. Their BRICS partner will gladly take the energy that Russia has to offer and keep up with their payments. Europe would be foolish to disrupt their agreement with Gazprom since they don't need the EU.

[Dondilion]

Samm, your map showing Russian speaking - pro Russian might be misleading.

A lot of the Russian speakers, especially the young, are not pro Russian...they are essentially pro European. They feel Europe offer them a brighter future.
They are however intimidated by the extreme lyrics and actions of the Ukraine
nationalists.

The programs/agenda of the Ukraine nationalists would make all Russian
speakers second class citizens.

[piece-itpete]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Nevertheless, there may be a Muslim element in all this but from outside ......well assimilated into Crimean society and would be pretty tough to radicalize.

John

Speak of the devil. Howdy John

Pete