Crimean parliament unanimously votes in favour of becoming part of Russia

[vegster]

It's not just about gas mate, what about the huge amount of Russian cash invested in the City of London?

Don't you mean Chelsea ?

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Don't you mean Chelsea ?

Perhaps Putin will send his unmarked soldiers to Kings Road to 'protect' his citizens who live in London

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Other suppliers could make up the difference and will probably make it financially viable

Allowing the Big 6 to put up our bills by another 10% too

 

[SeagullinExile]

Don't you mean Chelsea ?

 

[Perfidious Albion]

Why should not the people of Crimea vote to determine their own future?

The Russian troops were already based in Crimea - I have seen no evidence of them "crossing the border"

The new government in Kiev was established by violent force, not democracy

Russia supplies about 30% of Europe's gas (according to The Guardian) I would not push them too hard !

 

[Czechmate]

Double standards from us in the West methinks. We support the overthrow of an elected government and then we're up in arms when a referendum is held in Crimea.

Your right but a lot of people can't seem to see this . I see someone wrote earlier that the US is willing to supply gas to the EU , unfortunately no country does anything without a reason for their own gains ! and I am sure there will be more of this as time goes on , including Russia .

 

[martyn20]

Why should not the people of Crimea vote to determine their own future?

The Russian troops were already based in Crimea - I have seen no evidence of them "crossing the border"

The new government in Kiev was established by violent force, not democracy

Russia supplies about 30% of Europe's gas (according to The Guardian) I would not push them too hard !

The government in Kiev had shown a willingness to allow the people of Crimea to have a referendum but the government there did not wait until permission was given and just called one for this month.
If the people of Crimea want to switch from Ukraine to Russia don't Ukraine have a say in that.
Remember Scotland is getting an Independence vote but it had to be agree by Westminster and the UK government. Right now Crimea is part of Ukraine

 

[vegster]

The government in Kiev had shown a willingness to allow the people of Crimea to have a referendum but the government there did not wait until permission was given and just called one for this month.
If the people of Crimea want to switch from Ukraine to Russia don't Ukraine have a say in that.
Remember Scotland is getting an Independence vote but it had to be agree by Westminster and the UK government. Right now Crimea is part of Ukraine

Eees Complicated, but, what Putin wants, Putin gets. including a never ending mandate from the Russian electorate.

 

[martyn20]

Eees Complicated, but, what Putin wants, Putin gets. including a never ending mandate from the Russian electorate.

What Putin really wants is a return to the Soviet era, he will never get that wish.
Bottom line is Crimea is now Russian, only a rubber stamp will follow what has already happened, if Russia stops there and allows Ukraine to elect new leaders for themselves all this will calm down. If he tries to put the old President back in his palace all bets are off.

 

[penny's harmonica]

Why should not the people of Crimea vote to determine their own future?

The Russian troops were already based in Crimea - I have seen no evidence of them "crossing the border"

The new government in Kiev was established by violent force, not democracy

Russia supplies about 30% of Europe's gas (according to The Guardian) I would not push them too hard !

It's a bit like Eastbourne electing to become part of Liverpool City council. A few gobby hotheads who never stop going on about the motherland.
I believe Liverpool docks supply 30% of UK's drugs. I wouldn't push the scousers too hard

 

[Czechmate]

At the end of the day , each country only thinks about itself and not thinking of the Ukrainians , especially the US . France do not want an arms embargo because they are building 2 warships for the Russian navy , Germany wants to trade with Russia for the gas/oil , and yes you can buy from the US or Norway but not sure the logistics are in place and would put a heavy price increase on . The UK doesn't want to sever trading ties with Russia as a lot of investment has gone into Russia as well as the large amount of business the London banks are receiving , and the Tories won't want to upset their buddies .

 

[martyn20]

At the end of the day , each country only thinks about itself and not thinking of the Ukrainians , especially the US . France do not want an arms embargo because they are building 2 warships for the Russian navy , Germany wants to trade with Russia for the gas/oil , and yes you can buy from the US or Norway but not sure the logistics are in place and would put a heavy price increase on . The UK doesn't want to sever trading ties with Russia as a lot of investment has gone into Russia as well as the large amount of business the London banks are receiving , and the Tories won't want to upset their buddies .

Do you apply that to Russia as well?

 

[sparkie]

What Putin really wants is a return to the Soviet era, he will never get that wish.
Bottom line is Crimea is now Russian, only a rubber stamp will follow what has already happened, if Russia stops there and allows Ukraine to elect new leaders for themselves all this will calm down. If he tries to put the old President back in his palace all bets are off.

I think you are mostly right. Ukraine will keep a claim to Crimea but will have to put that aside for 30-40 years until Russia itself has changed.

Yanukovich though is finished. From what I can see Putin never liked him that much, and he has a serious black mark against his name ( from Putin) for the way he handled things.

 

[Czechmate]

Do you apply that to Russia as well?

Of course Martyn , Ukraine is just the board in a game of chess unfortunately !

 

[vegster]

Referendum going ahead with the news that Russia will " respect the will of the people of Crimea " .... just so long as they make the right decision.

 

[fruitnveg]

They'll make sure they get the result they want. Everyone being shown to be ultimately toothless to stop it happening.

 

[martyn20]

Totally illegal referendum, will show the will of the 'people' (all be it with 60,000 odd Russian troops in their towns and cites) but will not change the legal status of Crimea, it will still be part of Ukraine.