Russia Warns Kiev Against NATO Integration

[Purveyor]

Source: REUTERS

NATO says there is no evidence of Russian troop withdrawal from Ukraine's border, will consider all options.

By Reuters | Apr. 1, 2014 | 3:14 PM

Russia warned Ukraine against integration with NATO on Tuesday as its alleged troop withdrawal from Ukraine's eastern border came under doubt by the military alliance, which said it will look at all options to allay the concerns of eastern Europe's former communist states prompted by Russia's annexation of Crimea.

--CLIP
At the same time, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned Kiev integration into NATO, and said that Ukraine's previous attempts to move closer to the West had strained ties with Russia and caused problems between Moscow and NATO.

&quot Past attempts) led to a freezing of Russian-Ukrainian political contacts, a headache between NATO and Russia and ... to a division in Ukrainian society," the Russian Foreign Ministry said as NATO foreign ministers gathered for a meeting in Brussels.

It warned that future economic ties between Moscow and Kiev "will largely depend on the actions Ukraine takes in its foreign policy".


Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.583169

[Duckhunter935]

1. Well since Ukraine was not going to be in NATO

anyway. What would Russia do invade? Oh that's right they already have done that. Ukraine will be left to dry as the west will not protect it if Russia comes in with more troops.

[cprise]

9. That's a bizarre thing to say

EU integration and NATO are practically synonymous. EU membership is not the real goal here; As the State Dept. might say, "F*CK THE EU!"

The organization was created to counter Russia, and after denying Russia itself membership, are pushing east and surrounding Russia on its western flank. Its clear they are breaking the promise that was made to Yeltsin.

NATO is a profit center for cold warriors.

[EX500rider]

2. The more they "warn" them, the more they want to join. n/t

[Adrahil]

3. If I were Ukraine, I'd pursue NATO membership immediately....

... Russia has already proven it's willingness to use military force against Ukraine.

[Benton D Struckcheon]

4. Russia' not going to invade.

And Ukraine's not joining NATO.
Russia's FM is just emphasizing the point as they pull their troops slowly away. Everyone's calming down now, which is a good thing. Well, everyone except Tymoshenko and some Right Sector loons in Ukraine, and maybe Dugin and his boyz in Russia.

[Duckhunter935]

5. what troops have moved?

It seems like the Ukraine government is cracking down on the right sector and they do not care for it. I think Ukraine is having second thoughts on getting rid of its nukes and trusting the treaty Russia signed.

[Benton D Struckcheon]

6. Even the Kyiv Post,

not exactly known for friendliness towards Russia, says the following:

1. After long deliberations, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has confirmed the information of our Information Resistance group that the number of Russian troops by the Ukrainian border has decreased over the last few days.

At the same time, Putin has promised Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, to “partially withdraw” Russian troops from the Ukrainian border.

http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/dmitry-tymchuks-military-blog-no-reason-for-ukraine-to-relax-yet-341601.html

Of course, it's interesting to note that they were claiming these were just "exercises". The language they're using now shows they were obviously building up men and materiel for an invasion.
But withdrawal is withdrawal, regardless. No one will credit him, but Obama is largely the reason why. Putin learned a little something about what it means to deal with him when the chips are down.

[okaawhatever]

11. That is an opinion piece. I wouldn't rely on that for confirmation of military troop numbers. nt

[Benton D Struckcheon]

13. TIME:

“The number has definitely dropped, and [the situation] has calmed down,” Ukrainian Major General Oleksandr Rozmaznin told reporters on Monday, according to Reuters. “We won’t rejoice and shout ‘Hurray.’ It doesn’t matter how many of them there are, we just need to make sure our defenses are strong.”

http://time.com/44810/russia-ukraine-crimea-putin-2/

What is it about this Ukraine thing that people doubt stuff that's all over the place? I had to put a buncha people on ignore because they denied Russia had even invaded, and now this. If you're following along, the news is out there. The markets have shot up since the weekend partially on relief over this. It's not like it's a secret.
Sheesh.

[okaawhatever]

14. Thank you for taking the time to give a second source. I would have relied on it had it not been in

an opinion piece. I am skeptical regarding info about Ukraine/Russia precisely because of the people who deny Russia invaded Crimea. With the number of RT and RIA pieces being posted, it's become clear some folks here have an agenda and it isn't to make sure we all have the facts about the situation.

[Xithras]

7. Just as an FYI, Russia didn't sign a treaty.

That was really Ukraine's mistake, in hindsight. The Budapest Memorandum only offered "assurances" by Russia and the other signatories that Ukraine's borders would be respected. It wasn't a treaty, which has to be ratified by all bound governments and becomes binding international law.

A "memorandum" is like two neighbors arguing over a fence line, who agree on a line and settle it with a handshake. A treaty is like having the surveyor come out, set the property markers to determine the property line, and then registering those lines with the local government so they have the force of law.

Part of the reason that the international response was so weak boils down to the fact that the Budapest Memorandum doesn't have any teeth. Ukraine should have demanded a proper treaty before giving up its nukes.

[7962]

8. Thats a great point. Thanks for the info.

[Duckhunter935]

10. Very true

You are correct. I am sure they will think about that next time they have an agreement

[dipsydoodle]

12. Doesn't change the fact

that part of the deal which concerned reunification of Germany was that NATO would not move further east.

That's an easy subject to search.