tinydancer

Only the Tartars boycotted the vote. And demographically Crimea is 60% ethnic Russian. Even the minorities voted to join Russia. Why? Because they know that the individuals who participated in the coup and now hold several very key positions in the new government are from Svoboda. Right in Svoboda's party platform is the promise to strip Crimea of her autonomy. To strip certain Russians of Ukrainian citizenship. To criminalize "Ukrainaphobia" aka you criticize the new government you are a criminal. To ban the Russian language. Oh and that was one of the first bills they passed. Now the bill banning the Russian language was vetoed by the new interim President under pressure from the EU, but how long before another bill would be presented and passed? So all in all Crimeans knowing that their autonomy was going to be stripped and they would be marked individuals for being "ethnic Russians" and not "ethnically pure Ukrainian" voted for joining Russia. No brainer. I know that if I was faced with a choice between Russia who would welcome me with open arms vs the uber Ukrainian whack jobs that have seized power in Kieve, I'm running straight into Russia's arms. By the way. I'm third generation Ukrainian with a hint of Irish thrown in and happen to be living in Uk central out here in Manitoba. For me to take a stand with Russia on this issue is not easy. I grew up hating the USSR and Stalin just part of my DNA for the horrors inflicted on my people. But I'm a big believer in the truth and I just want to bazooka barf every time I hear all the lies being spun about the "new government in Kiev" being pro democracy and how wonderful they are. All you have to do is to read up on Svoboda and the Right Sector and your hair will be standing on end. This was a coup. The government in Kiev is illegitimate. And I have no idea why my government and my Conservative party are backing this crew in Kiev.

Russia is in Crimea because they are allowed to be in Crimea for heavens sake. Their port for their Black Sea Fleet has a license to remain until the year 2042. And by a treaty signed between the Ukraine and Russia in 1997 Russia is allowed up to 25,000 troops at any given time. And it is about gas. It is about two major oil companies who have been attempting to get rights from the Ukraine. And those companies happen to be US Exxon Mobil and UK Dutch Shell. Why do you think the Americans and the Brits have been screaming so loudly over Crimea? Really why would America be involved in this insane game of "global chicken" over the EU? Follow the money.

Now back to the OP. I post on many US boards and if there is one thing that is bringing both sides of America together is the absolute rage against the country's leaders for not only sticking their noses into other country's issues but also giving away $$$$ that America doesn't have. This is bipartisan fury. And I can't blame them. I've been a Canadian Conservative party person for eons, I'm of Ukrainian descent and still I am royally angry that we are involved in yet another foreign issue that we should not be involved in. I can commiserate with the American voter. And depending how the US Presidential candidates positon themselves on foreign policy and foreign aid I do believe that the Ukraine as well as Syria, Libya, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq and cripes did I miss any? will have an impact on the next election.

Thank you for that link. Most interesting.

It wasn't an invasion. The 1997 treaty signed by the Ukraine and Russia allows Russia up to 25,000 troops in the Crimea.

The 1997 treaty between Ukraine and Russia allows for Russia to have up to 25,000 troops in the Crimea. This was not an invasion. As to a dictator. Please. Viktor Yanukovych was duly elected. Hence the people HAD decided on their own destiny. If you don't like the outcome that's part of living in a democracy. You wait till the next election and try to convince others to vote for your platform. And this election was observed and thought to be extraordinary in its competiveness and fairness. Instead this coup was strong armed by individuals in the opposition who wanted to seize power and join the EU. More at link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/08/viktor-yanukovych-ukraine-president-election

You're right as far as promising to give up their nukes with the Budapest Memorandum in '94. I was just pointing out that this new crew who are on the transition team with key cabinet posts are a rogue element who are uber Ukrainians who in their party platform state unequivocally that they intend to return the Ukraine to a nuclear power again. And we're definitely talking weaponry not energy. And you are spot on with the rest of your post. Kudos!

Now back to the OP, I believe the Ukraine has been divided for many a year. I still can't figure for the life of me what old Nikita thought he was doing making a gift of Crimea to the Ukraine. But like so many foolish leaders in the past I suppose he just thought he could rearrange the puzzle pieces of ethnicity and still somehow make the pieces fit. Time and time again sadly we've seen the results over the years and it's not been pretty,

Well I have this tendency to back up whatever I post. I believe that everyone has the right to their own opinions but not their own facts. I love it when people give me links and back up.information. ETA: I should say that our media seems to be a Canuck and American version of PRAVDA from the old days. It's like peeling an onion to get thru the layers of anti Russian hype and get to the truth of it all. Quick aside this looks to be a great board. I just fell into it today.

There is a 1997 agreement between the Ukraine and Russia which allows Russia to have up to 25,000 troops in Crimea. I have several sources but I'll give you the one from the LA Times. Of course the US Administration doesn't agree that this makes Putin's move legitimate but Obama and Kerry have been running around strutting like Banty roosters so of course at this point in time they won't admit diddly squat.

With all due respect Crimea is an autonomous state. Parliament removed the sitting government and has set a date for a referendum of autonomy again in light of the recent developments with the coup in Kiev. http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-turchynov-appeal-calm-crimea-buildings-seized/25278931.html

. You won't have to worry about Ukraine wanting nukes. Svoboda is part of the transition government and right in their party platform they state quite clearly that they wish to become a nuclear power again. And we're not talking energy. They want weapons.