"US issues warning to Russia over military drills near Ukrainian border"

[applegrove]

US issues warning to Russia over military drills near Ukrainian border

by Paul Lewis at the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/27/us-warns-russia-milirary-drills-ukraine-border

"SNIP.................................



The United States on Thursday warned Russia that military exercises planned near the border of Ukraine could “lead to miscalculation”, hours after pro-Moscow gunmen seized government offices in the region of Crimea and raised a Russian flag.

The secretary of state, John Kerry, said he had been reassured by his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, that Moscow was not behind the storming of Crimean government buildings and would “respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine”.

In a brief appearance before reporters in Washington, Kerry said he had discussed the situation in Ukraine over the phone with Lavrov. “We believe that everybody now needs to step back and avoid any kind of provocations,” Kerry said.

Earlier, the White House called on Moscow to “avoid provocative actions” and said it would be closely monitoring four days of Russian military drills that are due to begin on Friday, amid concern that Russian president Vladimir Putin could be contemplating military intervention in Ukraine.




...............................SNIP"

[lostincalifornia]

1. That is fine, but there is no way we will interfere with our military. Good thing mccain isn't in

charge, or we would be declaring war on every country

[applegrove]

2. US doesn't have to interfere with your military. All the oligarchs in russia

have their billions in western stock markets. Freezing money could put a lot of 'heat' on Putin. Threatening to would do it just as well. Putin doesn't want to go there.

[1000words]

4. Under what pretense could the U.S. freeze private Russian money?

[applegrove]

5. sanctions if the Russians invade the Ukraine. It has been done to places like Iran.

[1000words]

6. Private assets?

[applegrove]

9. Sure. Just the threat will get the oligarchs to be all over Putin. Plus I'm sure

the country of Russia itself is in the markets too.

[1000words]

12. I just don't believe it to be as simple as you present it.

I also believe Putin has leverage of his own that would likely put him in a power position.

We shall see ...

[applegrove]

14. It is not as simple as I present it. But it is as simple when you talk about interconnectedness

and how Russia is involved in many, many markets in the West and how this acts to keep some creep like Putin's behaving sort of okay.

[lostincalifornia]

11. Let's play your scenario. Suddenly both Syria and Iran negotiations break down because of Russia

disappointment with the freezing of assets.

I have no doubt that Russia will then say that they have been asked by Eastern Ukraine to protect them. Now what happens?

[applegrove]

13. The oligarchs, and all the powerful people in Russia, those who support Putin now and those who

don't, all go after him at once. See? Simple.

Seriously...the interconnectedness of trade and markets has kept the peace between countries often. Look at how the West gets along with China now? Russia is no different. Their success depends on Western markets now more than ever.

[lostincalifornia]

16. I respectfully disagree. It won't work with Russia or China. In fact China could hurt us more than

we could hurt it, and Russia is used to isolating itself from the west if it needs to

[Fumesucker]

15. Why do you suppose the US is loathe to see Iran with nuclear weapons? n/t

[freshwest]

7. That's an interesting take on the situation. Financially, no difference in the sides? Okay by me. nt

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Yep

Can you imagine if McCain won in 2008? We could have seen WW3 by now.

[freshwest]

8. He or Palin would fulfill PNAC, which ends in Armageddon. The RWNJs are furious at PBO. n/t

[rustbeltvoice]

10. as if this isn't the blowing of hot air