Monday, March 17, 2014

The New Cold 2 - Ukraine Crisis

Telegraph: Reports the following Moscow reaction to the Western sanctions, " Russia risks new Cold War, Western leaders warn, as Putin prepares to swallow Crimea ".

Lets Get Real:

It seems from the article that tomorrow is the start of the new cold war 2, Putin is to address the Russian Parliament tomorrow were it is expected he will formally take Crimea in to the Russian Federation.   Thus the West will have to increase its sanctions on Russia, otherwise they will look weak and will be seen as  following a policy of appeasing Putin, very much like the West did in the 1930s with Hitler.   The BIG question is will Putin stop at the Crimea, or does plan to take over the Eastern Ukraine, that is a open question, the West has to man up and make it clear to Moscow that there are some red lines that can not be crossed no matter the results for the West.   At the end of the day this is about freedom, if its ALL about money what is the point. 

Western Sanctions " WEAK " - Ukraine Crisis


Lets Get Real:

This blog is the first to be critical of President Obama and the EU, but at least lets see if these sanctions have any effect, if not then go for biting sanctions, its a signal  to Moscow that the West is in the game, if Russia formally takes over the Crimea then the West should consider tougher sanctions, if there is a threat to Eastern Ukraine then we have to at least make it clear that the East is a line that Russia can not cross, yes another red line, NATO should send a couple of thousand goodwill troops to the Western border of the Ukraine, and yes a few fighter planes and tanks.   If we have to punch lets make sure our fist is steel and snaps the claws of the Russian Bear. 

Putin on Crimea Vote - Ukraine Crisis Latest

BBC News: Reports the following, " Russian President Putin recognises Crimea as nation ".
Lets Get Real:
This is an interesting move by Putin, it allows him a get out clause, the Kremlin is wondering if the new sanctions have any effect on Putin' s supporters and it allows Moscow to go either way, if Putin thinks that the West will never impose tougher sanctions he can take Crimea, if on other hand more serious sanctions come that  effect him he might decide to allow Crimea to stay in limbo, part of Russia without being a formal part of Rusisia, interesting strategic move by Moscow. 

US Sanctions on Russia - Ukraine Crisis

Lets Get Real:
This is at least is a start, these sanctions in combination with EU sanctions will hardly have Putin running to take his troops back from the Crimea but at least it shows that the Oval is starting to man up in his fight with Putin, slow hits first then if that does not work harder sanctions.   Lets see how Putin's rich friends react to these sanctions.  Welcome to a New Cold War 2.