No Russian Invasion of East Ukraine - Russia - Ukraine Latest

Telegraph: Reports in its 9.45pm post the following, " Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has apparently promised his Chuck Hagel, his US counterpart, that Moscow has no plans to invade eastern Ukraine. ".

Lets Get Real:

This is the test, can the word of Russia be trusted, if THEY are being honest then we are on the same page at least, if this is another lie from Russia then we shall see more sanctions, even the chance of a regional war in the Ukraine, with the West supporting the Kiev Government vs. Russia.   This is a chance for Russia to get out of the hole it has created and to keep the Crimea, otherwise how much is a nuclear bunker these days. 

Review of US Sanctions on Russia - Ukraine Latest

Guardian: Reports the following on US sanctions on Russia, " Obama extends sanctions against Russia to include wealthy Putin allies..White House suggests executive order might not be the end of measures taken in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine ".

Lets Get Real:

Lets hope these new US sanctions get the attention of the Kremlin, the new Russia is not the OLD USSR, Russia in connected to the international money system, thus previous Cold War sanctions had less effect, these new sanctions should bite those close to Putin, its a clear signal, NO EAST UKRAINE invasion, or worse will to come.   On the other hand Putin might see this as a golden chance to take the whole of the Ukraine, otherwise Ukraine might become part of the EU and NATO, then its over for any chance of Russia taking over the Ukraine.   Lets hope Putin has big ears and hears this bell otherwise the new cold war 2 will get hot. 

Sanctions Day between US and Russia - Ukraine Crisis Latest

BBC News: Reports on Russian sanctions on the US, the article notes the following, " Among those targeted are some of the most senior Congressmen - Harry Reid, John Boehner and John McCain - as well as one of President Obama's national security advisers, Benjamin Rhodes. ".

Lets Get Real:

This time the US can laugh at Russian sanctions, this kind of measure will get all those on the list respect from their individual political bases and make it hard for their opposition to challenge them when it comes to Russia and the Ukraine.   This shows that Moscow does not either understand the US system or only wants to see what it wants, either is BAD.   The latest US sanctions below are much more harder, they should get the attention of the Kremlin and those close to President Putin, one could be wrong but one gets the impression that Russia will not go for East Ukraine, it might push the West to openly arm the Kiev Government and draw in the West in to a fight with Russia, this is only a guess, we shall in the hours and days ahead. 

More US Sanctions on Russia - Ukraine Crisis Latest

For the Historical record:

The following remarks by President Obama on the latest US sanctions on Russian for the take over of the Crimea, the most interesting are the following, " Based on the executive order that I signed in response to Russia’s initial intervention in Ukraine, we’re imposing sanctions on more senior officials of the Russian government.  In addition, we are today sanctioning a number of other individuals with substantial resources and influence who provide material support to the Russian leadership, as well as a bank that provides material support to these individuals.

Now, we’re taking these steps as part of our response to what Russia has already done in Crimea.  At the same time, the world is watching with grave concern as Russia has positioned its military in a way that could lead to further incursions into southern and eastern Ukraine.  For this reason, we’ve been working closely with our European partners to develop more severe actions that could be taken if Russia continues to escalate the situation.

As part of that process, I signed a new executive order today that gives us the authority to impose sanctions not just on individuals but on key sectors of the Russian economy.  This is not our preferred outcome.  These sanctions would not only have a significant impact on the Russian economy, but could also be disruptive to the global economy.  However, Russia must know that further escalation will only isolate it further from the international community.  The basic principles that govern relations between nations in Europe and around the world must be upheld in the 21st century.  That includes respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity -- the notion that nations do not simply redraw borders, or make decisions at the expense of their neighbors simply because they are larger or more powerful.

One of our other top priorities continues to be providing assistance to the government of Ukraine so it can stabilize its economy and meet the basic needs of the Ukrainian people.  As I travel to Europe next week to meet with the G7 and other European and Asian allies, I once again urge Congress to pass legislation that is necessary to provide this assistance -- and do it right away.  Expressions of support are not enough.  We need action.  I also hope that the IMF moves swiftly to provide a significant package of support for Ukrainians as they pursue reforms.

In Europe, I’ll also be reinforcing a message that Vice President Biden carried to Poland and the Baltic states this week:  America’s support for our NATO allies is unwavering.  We’re bound together by our profound Article 5 commitment to defend one another, and by a set of shared values that so many generations sacrificed for.  We’ve already increased our support for our Eastern European allies, and we will continue to strengthen NATO’s collective defense, and we will step up our cooperation with Europe on economic and energy issues as well.".

Has a DIRTY War started in the Crimea - Ukraine Latest

Telegraph - Ukraine Live: Reports the the following in its 7.36pm post, " In an interview with the BBC, Vladyslav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian defence ministry, has pretty shockingly claimed that armed attackers used the commander of a Ukrainian military unit in Simferopol as a live shield to gain access to the building. ".

Lets Get Real:

The Crimea and Ukraine could become a VERY dirty War, there are feuds that go back centuries, thus one has to wonder what kind of box that Putin has opened, that is the problem when you invade another Country but you still have opposition forces in bases that they will not give up, this could go either way, Moscow should tell its local supporters and troops to STOP any more such attacks, and Kiev should only allow its troops to fight back if they are under direct threat, otherwise this first military death could be one of many.   Lets see who leads, the top or local events. 

Ukrainian Troops in Crimea to use Arms to Defend - Ukraine Latest

Guardian - Ukraine Live: Reports in its 6.13pm post the following, " Ukrainian forces have been authorized to use weapons to defend themselves, Reuters reports, citing acting President Turchynov’s press service. Other sources have confirmed with Ukrainian military sources. ".

Lets Get Real:

Its one thing to take over the Crimea, its another when you have to deal with the Ukrainian troops in Ukrainian bases in the Crimea, the death of an Ukrainian Office will make all sides edgy, tension can boil over, mistakes can happen, the West can not tell Kiev not to defend itself, and Moscow can not control the Russian hotheads in the East of Ukraine, they might think that if they cause enough trouble that Russian will come to support them, even if Moscow just wants the Crimea it statement that it would defend the rights of native Russians in the Ukraine could leads to protests and violence in the East, will Moscow not act, starting something does not mean to control the outcome, tense says ahead for the Ukraine and the West. 

The Shot that starts a WAR between Russia and the Ukraine - Ukraine Latest

BBC News: Reports the following from the crisis in the Crimea, " Ukraine officer 'killed in attack on Crimea base' ".

Lets Get Real:

It only takes a few shots to start a major War, as happened in 1914, at that time the Russians were on the right side, even if they flipped after the October Revolution of 1917 and made a deal with Germany.   These kind events increase the tension and further deaths could occur, the new Kiev Government is not going to rollover no matter what President Obama and the West might say behind closed doors.    They have to started to use the language of the 1930s, does the West want to appease Putin, even today British politicians do not want to be called appeasers, it was only of late that Neville Chamberlain gained a tea room in the House of Commons, and that was a fight.   Lets hope the Kiev Government has a tight lease on those troops loyal to the Kiev Government, the same goes for Moscow, otherwise we start to enter THE Cuban Missile Crisis case study, and Obama can not do any secret deals with Putin, those days are over, Obama has to act like a the only super power left, otherwise he will become a modern Jimmy Carter.