Not sure Putin wants Crimea independent. I think he is looking to gain Crimea rather than free it.
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Not sure Putin wants Crimea independent. I think he is looking to gain Crimea rather than free it.
Crimea had been a part of the Russian heartland since the 18th century. The fact that they are now a part of Ukraine is down to the fact that Nikita Khrustchev gave it to the Ukranian SSR in 1954 as a present. The Crimeans (after Stalin had deported the Crimean Tatars) have always been ethnic Russians, so they've always wanted back to be a part of Russia again.
There isn't much good to say about Putin, but his invasion has been remarkably less violent than what Yanokovichs Berkut henchmen staged on the Maidan. Mainly, because the people actually wanted to be 'invaded'.
Let's just hope that Putin doesn't try to free Crimea, the same way that George Bush did, with his so-called freeing of Iraq.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
Like!Quote:
Originally Posted by easy rider
I doubt that Putin really wants to annex Crimea to Russia formally, although that's the wet dream of Russian nationalists. If Russia tried to annex Crimea, then Russia definitely would "lose" the rest of Ukraine. Instead, Putin probably will use Crimea as a hostage, a territory that's de jury Ukrainian, but de facto Russian. And then, every time the government in Kiev steps out of line, more trouble will stir up in Crimea. Having an on-going territorial dispute with Russia will also complicate Ukraine's accession into NATO.
That is precisely what is happening: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26465962Quote:
Originally Posted by zako85
That's not what the linked article says. It seems like many Crimean locals and lawmakers may want to join Russia, but it's probably not what Putin is after. He just wants to make it clear that he can chop off Crimea from Ukraine, and also create more upheaval in Ukraine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
Putin is already putting forth legislation in the Russian parliament to allow Crimea to join. This would seem to be the overall objective.
PS. I'm not for or against it. It might be that Crimea just becoming part of Russia is best for everyone.
Well, IMHO, it all goes under the name of game known as "credible threat". However, if Crimea is removed from Ukraine, then Ukraine will definitely become closer to EU and they will also likely join NATO. To Russian nationalists, having a NATO member at the border is very undesirable. To see the Baltic republics become members of NATO was already humiliating. So I personally speculate that Russia will try to maintain the status of Crimea as uncontrollable and pretty much occupied territory that's nonetheless recognized by everyone as part of Ukraine, which will delay Ukraine's accession into western structures and basically buy Russia more time, because who knows maybe 10 years from now Ukraine again will elect a more pro-Russian president who could fare a lot better than the corrupt and inept Yanukovich. Annexing Crimea is probably the last option, as in the new Cold War is starting, so we may as well take back Crimea already.
Yeah. Russia doesn't really want to annex Crimea, controlling it as an autonomous republic (with it's own armed forced perhaps?) from within Ukraine is more useful, exactly like zako says. For now, this is just a great bargaining tool.