Russia invades Ukraine

[swoop42]

Perhaps for once China can step up to the plate and show they actually have some sort of moral compass.

I wont be holding my breath.

[David]

But it's true, though. Lets not allow point-scoring to get in the way of condemning what is an extraordinarily aggressive and concerning act of annexation.

Perhaps this hits a little closer to home because Lola's hometown (Kharkhov) is very much in Russia's sights at the moment and many Ukrainians living there have already been brutalised by pro-Russian groups. I think she is quite justifiably worried about the fate of Ukrainian sovereignty and the friends and family members who might potentially be in the firing line. So, perhaps I'm biased, but I don't think using this as an opportunity to pot the US is particularly helpful. It just seems like fence-sitting.

[David]

Perhaps for once China can step up to the plate and show they actually have some sort of moral compass.

I wont be holding my breath.

China is hedging slightly, but unsurprisingly leaning toward Putin's side:

http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles ... ine-crisis

[pietillidie]

^Yes, give my regards to Lola; I'm actually very worried, and it's not point scoring as you think. It's a lest we forget and get deceived again and again by the same cowardly Bush/Blair/Howard types, putting us in these situation where genuine efforts to offset or minimize aggression are needed.

The serious point, David, is that in all likelihood Putin can do what he likes because there's no will to intervene.

Question for Lola: Just how large is the segment of the population which moderately to strongly supports Russia?

[David]

[pietillidie]

^Thanks.

Have you been following German opinion? It might make for an interesting angle.

Haven't read this yet:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/wor ... 56614.html

Ok, read it. Very grim.

vs. an article a week or so before:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/wor ... 55604.html

[David]

Cheers, PTID. Good article. I think we all hope that, whatever happens, this doesn't escalate any further.

[stui magpie]

Everyone relax, it's all good, problem solved.

Kevin Rudd has flown over to personally fix things

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/ ... 345vk.html







David, tell Lola to pray for any relatives she has over there.

[stui magpie]

So apparently the Crimea has voted to become an independent nation and align with Russia.

How will that work out?

[David]

[think positive]

I had a Russian boyfriend, his name was Vladimir, but we called him Eric. How the **** do you get Eric from Vladimir.

He's a fat pig now, that makes me unreasonably happy. I think he's divorced too, even better

[think positive]

Lucky ****

[David]

I had a Russian boyfriend, his name was Vladimir, but we called him Eric. How the **** do you get Eric from Vladimir.

He's a fat pig now, that makes me unreasonably happy. I think he's divorced too, even better

Not sure if you still have his number, but do you think you could give him a call and tell him to GTFO of Ukraine?

[think positive]

I had a Russian boyfriend, his name was Vladimir, but we called him Eric. How the **** do you get Eric from Vladimir.

He's a fat pig now, that makes me unreasonably happy. I think he's divorced too, even better

Not sure if you still have his number, but do you think you could give him a call and tell him to GTFO of Ukraine?

[HAL]

How specifically does He's a fat pig that cause unreasonably happy?