Things just got real in Ukraine

[Kat S.]

Putin really reminds me of those silly people in the southern United States who talk about how "the South will rise again" and how the "North" is messing with the "South".  The Confederate States of America is dead and gone, and so is the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic.  Putin, a former high ranking KGB officer, can't understand or outright refuses to acknowledge that Ukraine wants to be its own country instead of being directly tied with Russia.

Let. It. Go. Putin.

[Random Gal]

I wish Putin would just be struck by lightning or swallowed up in a sinkhole. That would be "an act of God" I could get behind. Come to think of it, he should come visit Orlando! This is the lightning capital of the world, and we got sinkholes cropping up all the time.

If Putin does visit Orlando, make sure it's during Disney's Gay Days for maximum awkwardness.

[Askold]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates?CMP=twt_gu

Armies have been mobilized, Russian tanks are moving through Ukraine, pro-Ukraine protestors are being rouded up and beaten. Still no declaration of war though, I guess Putin is still trying to stick to that "Russia or Soviet Union have never started a war" bit.

[Dakota Bob]

Cold War II: Electric Boogaloo

[Ultimate Paragon]

I really hope this doesn't end in another Holodomor.

[Lt. Fred]

I very much doubt that Russia intends any sort of annexation. We're probably looking at a Georgia situation - a short, sharp blow to remind the West that Russia retains some power and will not simply roll over and take Eastern Europe. Russia wants Ukraine to remain part of its sphere of influence, not to occupy it (at great cost). This is, in part, due to the entirely reasonable fear of growing US containment of Russia (also the unreasonable belief that Great Powers get to run other peoples' countries in their own interest).

[Askold]

Well, the people in eastern parts of Ukraine want to be part of Russia and they have now been getting the Russian passports which are being mass produced for them.

And concidering that Russia has not one but two puppet rulers for Ukraine I don't think they are going through all this trouble just to pull back.

[kefkaownsall]

I wonder if they'll just Balkanize into Ukraine and the Republic of Crimeia

[Barbarella]

I see a nation split coming on.....

Ukraine will probably turn into two countries.

I know this is an awful thing to say but I wish something happened to Putin soon. His megalomania is getting really annoying to say the least. He has a whistle-blower food-nuked, he wants to be Stalin 2.0, he looks like a cross between Frank Gorshin & Dobby The House Elf with no chin, he hates gays, he's a former KGB spook and.....he's just.....a total putz.

V-Poos gotta go!

Seems Russia and/or USSR is a huge reason why Eastern Europe isn't like Western Europe. C'MON, RUSKIES! JOIN THE 21st CENTURY! IT ISN'T THAT HARD, DAMN IT! *AAAARRRGGGLLLEEE*

[Ultimate Paragon]

First Lithuania, then Georgia, now Ukraine.  Is Putin trying to restart the Cold War or something?

[The Illusive Man]

There is an ugly economic and military angle here which can be summarized in three words: warm water port.

Hey guys remember that naval base in Sevastopol?

*YOINK!*

[Lt. Fred]

Firstly, warm water ports don't matter anymore. Modern ships can sail through (or, more importantly, under) ice without too much trouble. Secondly, Russia has a warm water port! They already own Sevastapol! Why would they invade Ukraine to gain control of a port that they already control?

[Ultimate Paragon]

My guess is Putin wants to do the old "divide and conquer".

[Art Vandelay]

Firstly, warm water ports don't matter anymore. Modern ships can sail through (or, more importantly, under) ice without too much trouble.

Wait, what? I know icebreakers are a thing, but freighter submarines? Are those actually a thing outside of the military?

[The Illusive Man]

Firstly, warm water ports don't matter anymore. Modern ships can sail through (or, more importantly, under) ice without too much trouble. Secondly, Russia has a warm water port! They already own Sevastapol! Why would they invade Ukraine to gain control of a port that they already control?

Joint control =/= ownership. Military interest, it contains one of their naval basses for the Black Sea Fleet. They are encroaching on NATO territory, they did this with Georgia before. Economic pressure would no longer be needed as well, see the 2010 Kharkiv Pact.