Thread: Crimea joining the Russian Federation and its implications?

Quite serious in that an articulated lorry tried to write me off but I've been VERY lucky and now just have a residual hip problem, but a bit of pain and immobility is better than being dead in my book! LOL

Most of the threads here in the UK are pretty much against the US and those in our own government who have decided to try and speak for us. I think there is still a residual mistrust of Putin himself but William Hague definitely DOESN'T speak for the masses here.

It's quite comical that the US called the Russian Federation land grabbers. We have a saying here in the UK 'pot calling the kettle black' which fits our view of it all quite well.

Originally Posted by Twonkybot

William Hague definitely DOESN'T speak for the masses here.

He ought to, right, isn't he a democratically elected MP?
No but seriously, they talk about issues with democracy in Russia. Sure whatever, but I doubt it's any worse than the UK. Two near identical parties to vote for, and after they're elected they do whatever they like anyway. Including running the errands for big corporations and tagging onto American wars that most Brits realise are wrong in every way.

Anyway, hope you are feeling better!

Originally Posted by Twonkybot

Quite serious in that an articulated lorry tried to write me off but I've been VERY lucky and now just have a residual hip problem, but a bit of pain and immobility is better than being dead in my book! LOL

Most of the threads here in the UK are pretty much against the US and those in our own government who have decided to try and speak for us. I think there is still a residual mistrust of Putin himself but William Hague definitely DOESN'T speak for the masses here.

It's quite comical that the US called the Russian Federation land grabbers. We have a saying here in the UK 'pot calling the kettle black' which fits our view of it all quite well.

It's awesome that you survived that! Never trust huge trucks. I got slammed by a small truck last year but it only knocked me into someone's yard and I wasn't hurt. It was like flying, lol. Still kinda scary and I lost my bike.

It's important to remember who's pushing the foreign policies in the west... the governments. There are people here that don't agree with what the US is doing in Ukraine (including me and my family) but nobody in Washington DC would ever listen to us. They only listen to other politicians and huge corporations.
Btw, you're right about the land grabbing thing. All the US land grabbing and invasions keeps a lot of people nervous here. I mean yeah, there are times when the US has to defend it's interests but I don't get how the US could have any really important interests in Ukraine, Iraq, Iran, or Syria. It just doesn't click and I haven't seen anything in the media that really explains it. Also, I don't like the idea of "world police". Why should it be our responsibility to police the world? I think the world would be better if it just policed itself.

Originally Posted by UhOhXplode

Why should it be our responsibility to police the world? I think the world would be better if it just policed itself.

Totally agree! I've just been on a thread in the UK in which only one person has started saying what we need to do etc. and the rest of us have just said 'Why is it any of our business and who made us judge and jury'.

Originally Posted by UhOhXplode

Why should it be our responsibility to police the world? I think the world would be better if it just policed itself.

You have a point. Though what about keeping promices? After the collapse of USSR Ukraine got rid of its part of Soviet nuclear weapon. USA instead officially guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders. USA disarmed us for the promice to protect. Now the promice looks broken.

Originally Posted by it-ogo

You have a point. Though what about keeping promices? After the collapse of USSR Ukraine got rid of its part of Soviet nuclear weapon. USA instead officially guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders. USA disarmed us for the promice to protect. Now the promice looks broken.

"Some good questions
have no good answers."

Svensei

Originally Posted by it-ogo

You have a point. Though what about keeping promices? After the collapse of USSR Ukraine got rid of its part of Soviet nuclear weapon. USA instead officially guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders. USA disarmed us for the promice to protect. Now the promice looks broken.

The USA also officially promised not to expand NATO into Eastern Europe, a promise which they broke pretty much immediately after having made it.

I don't see how nukes would make any difference in this conflict anyway. But it's rather disturbing that some people seem to think it's worth bringing up.

From one thing to another. Apparently Russia is going to significantly increase the measly state pensions that old people on Crimea are receiving. I don't see how they can survive on 200 USD per month it seems absolutely impossible unless you have no rent and buy nothing apart from cheap groceries. I was glad to see they will get more money and it's nice that Russia is processing this fast.

Originally Posted by Hanna

Apparently Russia is going to significantly increase the measly state pensions that old people on Crimea are receiving. I don't see how they can survive on 200 USD per month it seems absolutely impossible unless you have no rent and buy nothing apart from cheap groceries. I was glad to see they will get more money and it's nice that Russia is processing this fast.

You see, it's yes and no situation. If you hand out money to people, the first thing to happen is the prices will go up. That would probably be it more or less.

The real improvement of economy would usually corellate with the improvement in infrastructure which will give a chance to people to produce goods and services. Right now, the infrastructure in Crimea is more or less limited to the seasonal rentals of apartments to the visitors. Maybe also selling some food and stuff the visitors would need for their stay. There is virtually no other popular way of making money. Ukraine was never interested in improving the infrastructure in Crimea and Russia might be able to fill that gap to show the rest of the world what Russia is capable of. (Who mentioned Sochi?)