Where debating everything under the sun is only the beginning

A shooting glove! It's that a sort of fashion accessory? Like the telescopic sights?

I really must get a glove for changing gears in my car. Maybe take my shirt off too.

The point of all this is that I scorn posers.

It is none of America's business nor the EEC interfering politicians business to shout on about Ukraine's internal affairs.

In the meantime he has turned a large country (Ukraine) with reasonably good relations into a hostile neighbour

and he has made Western Europe realise that traded dependency on Russia is a bad idea with the long term consequences that implies.

As for the 'invaded' and 'annexed' Crimea - from the 18000 Ukrainian troops stationed there around 1500 have returned to the Ukraine!

A large country (Ukraine) with reasonably good relations?
You mean the self-appointed gang coming to power through a coup d'etat organized by fascists with Western support?

By 'Western Europe' you probably mean primarily 'the USA', the UK, Poland and the 3 Baltic states (in that order)?
Or do you mean the same Western Europe that took the USA's side when they invaded Iraq?

As for the 'invaded' and 'annexed' Crimea - from the 18000 Ukrainian troops stationed there around 1500 have returned to the Ukraine!
Does this at least tell you something?
And no, Russia doesn't hold back anybody from returning 'home'.

By 'Western Europe' you probably mean primarily 'the USA', the UK, Poland and the 3 Baltic states (in that order)?

As for the 'invaded' and 'annexed' Crimea - from the 18000 Ukrainian troops stationed there around 1500 have returned to the Ukraine!
Does this at least tell you something?

@jimbro.  I don't smoke. 

Daft answer jimbro. Probably due to not being fully aware of the detail or think I am singly your leaders especially along with our European leaders.
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Russia was right over Crimea so that has to be loved with and all the daft stuff about Moscow wanting to invade is a symptom of the continuing of a failed hang back of the Cold War thinking.

1 No I mean The Ukraine, the large country with reasonably good relations with Russia. Neither do I equate Russia with it current clumsy Government.

2. The USA is not actually in Europe. To back up my remark about Europe working towards less dependency on Russia, please refer to this: EU plans to reduce Russian energy dependence.

Van Rompuy also spoke about the need to facilitate gas imports from the USA, where shale gas has become available for export via LNG terminals. He mentioned the need to include this issue in the ongoing TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment partnership) negotiations with the US.

Alluding to the fact that Russia pursues a policy of ‘divide-and-rule’ vis-à-vis EU countries, Van Rompuy appealed for more transparency on contract conditions, and the need for the EU to “work as a team”, when individual countries negotiate contracts with Russia.

Sharing more information, bringing more transparency on contract conditions – all that to increase our joint bargaining power”, Van Rompuy insisted.

Merkel also didn’t discard developing shale gas in Europe as an alternative to imports.

3. (Putin's) "Russia doesn't hold back anybody from returning 'home'.". Strange remark - it is not clear what you mean - do you mean Ethnic Cleansing, or do you seek to justify annexation of a country on the grounds that they speak the same language?

3. Iraq - what has that got to do with the current crisis in the Ukraine? Possibly because of WMDs?

Van Rompuy also spoke about the need to facilitate gas imports from the USA, where shale gas has become available for export via LNG terminals. He mentioned the need to include this issue in the ongoing TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment partnership) negotiations with the US.

While the shale-gas boom has made the U.S. the world’s largest natural gas producer, efforts to ship the fuel are bogged down by rules, financing needs and construction demands. Winning U.S. approval can take three years or longer, and not all companies planning a project are committed to completing the work.

Quote from: krake on 2014-04-01, 22:49:29

By 'Western Europe' you probably mean primarily 'the USA', the UK, Poland and the 3 Baltic states (in that order)?

That doesn't make any sense. Most of the EU's gas and a decent amount of oil comes from Russia. Meanwhile, the USA has been importing less and less Russian oil for years. There's no such thing as an American energy dependency on Russia.

Quote from: krake on 2014-04-01, 22:49:29

As for the 'invaded' and 'annexed' Crimea - from the 18000 Ukrainian troops stationed there around 1500 have returned to the Ukraine!
Does this at least tell you something?

Yes, that you fully accept the annexation. How else could one "return" from Crimea to Ukraine?

Even the overhelming part of Ukrainian troops (in spite of an oath) stationed in Crimea prefer to live in a Russian Crimea instead of returning home (even though they have been ordered to return).

Quote from: krake on 2014-04-03, 09:58:10

Maybe they don't think that Crimea isn't home anymore, huh?
Was it annexation or not?

Please rephrase the first sentence.

It wasn't annexation. Russia borrowed Crimea.

Maybe they don't think that Crimea isn't home anymore, huh?

A bit like America borrowed Hawaii?

Meanwhile a US Air force general has moved back to the John Wayne attitude of stating via NATO that Russia has a large and extremely well trained capable army ready to invade Ukraine and take it within 3 days?? What utter bunkum. Why the heck is NAT still here? It is a hangover from the past and makes all sorts of spurious claims to justify it's existence and world ominance. Crimea is back home so forget about that because that is not going to change and the people there will be better off under the Federation than the half-baked and Nzi influenced bandits in Kiev. The West still bleats about the quickness of the Referendum decided by the parliament (note legitimate parliament) whilst happily endorsing a bunch of creeps who stole the legitimate government of Ukraine.

Unfortunately for Ukraine it will continue to suffer with the heavy restrictions on the IMF loans which most here on the thread chooser to subtly ignore of course. Considering how limited the bandit take-over was in support nationally the future is rather shaky and considering the wonky state of the EEC financially not much to be expected with that lot of losers.

"The Walls kept tumbling down in the City that we love; gray clouds bringing darkness from above."

  

Well you do need a dose of practicality on being invaded dear Smileyfaze terrorist.

Your armed forces have amongst the highest rate of suicides - average one a day. On top of that menatal health issues effect 25% of the rest and been rising.  What is it now - 3 shooting rampages on army bases and twice in the same one? Even the Majhor involved in one was a head shrinker!  Oh and throw in a whole line of sex abuse cases to distract the invasion as well. Of course there are efficient units and don't deny that but doing that breast thunping bit about the wonderful boys in unform is pushing the boat not just a little! With such a rising mental situation it shows that the intake is highly questionable and the calibre is far short. So on that basis perhaps you had better get on the right side of Putin to save yourself a headache. If really stuck I can send over The Boys' Brigade or Scouts from the gritty parts to help. Anything to help as i know a sensible ex-colonist!