Russia's 'invasion and occupation' of Ukrainian territory.

[Monseratto]

With Ukraine in the brink and Putin's Army already running Crimea. Should the US and NATO even try to interfere?

Simferopol, Ukraine (CNN) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared Saturday to dismiss warnings from world leaders to avoid military intervention in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, even amid growing evidence that pro-Russian forces were already in control of the region.

The rhetoric escalated Saturday night, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemning what he called "the Russian Federation's invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory" despite a statement by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that no decision had been made on whether Moscow would dispatch forces.

Russia has not confirmed it deployed thousands of troops to the region following reports that armed, Russian-speaking forces wearing military uniforms -- without insignia -- patrolled key infrastructure sites.

It was the latest in fast-moving developments that saw Russia's Parliament sign off on Putin's request to send military forces into Ukraine, raising the stakes in the escalating game of brinksmanship.

Putin cited in his request a threat posed to the lives of Russian citizens and military personnel based in southern Crimea, a claim Ukrainian officials have vehemently denied. Despite Putin's claim, CNN crews in and around Crimea's regional capital of Simferopol have not seen a Ukrainian military presence.

Putin's move prompted world diplomats to call for a de-escalation of tensions that have put the two neighbors on a possible path to war and roiled relations between Russia and the United States.

In what appeared to be an illustration of the growing schism between the two world powers, U.S. President Barack Obama and Putin spoke for 90 minutes -- with each expressing their concern over the mounting crisis, according to separate statements released by their respective governments.

According to the Kremlin, Putin told Obama that Russia reserves the right to defend its interests in the Crimea region and the Russian-speaking people who live there.

"President Obama made clear that Russia's continued violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity would negatively impact Russia's standing in the international community," according to a statement released by the White House.

Lean to the West, or to Russia?

Ukraine, a nation of 45 million people sandwiched between Europe and Russia's southwestern border, has been plunged into chaos since the ouster a week ago of President Viktor Yanukovych following bloody street protests that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded.

Ukraine has faced a deepening schism, with those in the west generally supporting the interim government and its European Union tilt, while many in the east preferring a Ukraine where Russia casts a long shadow.

Nowhere is that feeling more intense than in Crimea, the last big bastion of opposition to the new political leadership. Ukraine suspects Russia of fomenting tension in the autonomous region that might escalate into a bid for separation by its Russian majority.

Ukraine acting President Oleksandr Turchynov took to the airwaves late Saturday to warn any Russian military intervention would lead to war.

Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said his country was ready to mobilize its forces to protect strategic locations, including nuclear power plants.

Meanwhile, Obama's message to Russia also reached Congress, where the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee called for an immediate response to Russia's move.

"Every moment that the United States and our allies fail to respond sends the signal to President Putin that he can be even more ambitious and aggressive in his military intervention in Ukraine," Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said in a statement.

He called on Obama to "make clear what costs Russia will face for its aggression and to impose those consequences without further delay."

Senior White House officials say they are looking at a wide range of possible economic and diplomatic measures to present to Obama that would show Putin there is a cost to his actions in Ukraine.

The White House has already announced the United States will suspend participation in preparatory meetings for the G-8 Summit that will bring world leaders together in June in Sochi, Russia.

"Going forward, Russia's continued violation of international law will lead to greater political and economic isolation," according to a statement released by the administration.

Pressure was mounting on Russia as leaders from the EU and the UK joined an international outcry, with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton deploring Russia's "unwarranted escalation of tensions."

[vinj]

Dang just like in the last TC book i read.

[jonski]

Dang just like in the last TC book i read.

nabasa ko din. Sobrang similar ang nangyayari sa Ukraine sa nakasulat sa last book ni Tom Clancy.

[rollyic]

^^^ baka pwedeng mag kwento ng konti kung anong nangyari sa story ng book.

[jonski]

Sad ang Ukraine kasi si Obama ang POTUS and hindi si Jack Ryan

[vinj]

^^^ baka pwedeng mag kwento ng konti kung anong nangyari sa story ng book.

A Russian strongman basically decides to invade the Ukraine, in cold war and old KGB fashion.

Sad ang Ukraine si si Obama ang POTUS and hindi si Jack Ryan

And no John Clark to the rescue either. :D

Clancy hit it head on with at least three current or recent issues: the eerie similarities to 9/11, China being a PITA, and now the Ukraine.

[awing]

This could spark a war and occupation

[CVT]

Ohhhh Man!!!

[awing]

Sumagot din ang Ukraine

------------------------

Ukraine mobilizes troops amid crisis with Russia

Leaders of a shaky new government in Ukraine were mobilizing troops Sunday amid signs of Russian military intervention in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.
The Ukrainian National Security Council ordered the mobilization as Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to dismiss warnings from world leaders to avoid military intervention in Crimea, a senior Ukrainian official, Andriy Parubiy, said. The news came as evidence mounted that pro-Russian forces were already in Crimea, an autonomous region of eastern Ukraine with strong loyalty to neighboring Russia.
Ukraine's parliament met behind closed doors Sunday. At the closing of the session, acting Defense Minister Ihor Tenyuh said Ukraine does not have the military force to resist Russia, according to two parliamentary members present at the meeting.
Tenyuh called for talks to resolve the crisis with Russia, they said.
A sense of escalating crisis swirled Saturday night, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemning what he called "the Russian Federation's invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory" despite a statement by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that no decision had been made on whether Moscow would dispatch forces.
Russia has not confirmed it deployed thousands of troops to the region following reports that armed, Russian-speaking forces wearing military uniforms -- without insignia -- patrolled key infrastructure sites.
It was the latest in fast-moving developments that saw Russia's Parliament sign off on Putin's request to send military forces into Ukraine, raising the stakes in the escalating game of brinksmanship.
Putin cited in his request a threat posed to the lives of Russian citizens and military personnel based in southern Crimea. Ukrainian officials have vehemently denied Putin's claim.
According to a tweet from the official Russian government account Sunday, Medvedev discussed the crisis in Ukraine in a telephone call with interim Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
According to a second tweet, Medvedev says Russia is interested in maintaining stable and friendly relations with Ukraine but reserves the right to protect the legitimate interests of its citizens and military personnel stationed in Crimea.

Path to war?....

Ukraine mobilizes troops in Russia crisis - CNN.com

[badkuk]

so i guess if they can't install a puppet government, they'll just go in and grab it.

i don't get Putin's latest move, it just may galvanize the warring opposition factions. Maybe he thinks the opposition can't defend Ukraine, and will be forced to put Yanukovich back in charge.