Russia Overhauls Military Doctrine

[bendog]

Putin's public stance is that if part of Ukraine wants to be "new Russia" it can, which has no legal support, and pro-putin posters want to ignore that stubborn fact. From Merkel's pov that's just code speak for the nation with the most/best tanks redrawing borders.

From the US's pov, we must support Ukraine from soviet, Russian imperialism. And that's true only to an extent. Post Snowden and Putin's aggression in Ukraine, US policy is solidly in the camp of "soviet containment."

Before Putin sent in tanks, I thought possibly there'd be a tacit acceptance by both Putin and the US that E. Ukraine would be ceded and the Ukraine would be a Nato protectorate. With the final cost to Russia of the Crimea being determined by future actions, or inactions, by Putin.

Putin's current stance is no peace negotiations until both Kiev and the separatists agree, which will never happen unless Putin stops arming the separatists and unless the West tell Ukraine it's lost its eastern provinces. The former will never happen because Putin thinks he can "win" a land line to Crimea. That is, even if the West proposed separating the provinces, Russia will not agree, and THAT is what just happened in Munich. Merkel basically asked Vlad if he was good to just quit now, and he said Nyet.

By next week C-130s will be flying in anti-tank missiles.

"It is evident that the crisis will continue until the Ukrainians themselves agree with each other," he said, according to a transcript released by the presidency.

Kiev accuses the rebels of sending more tanks, armoured vehicles and rocket launcher systems to the embattled Debaltseve region and to Granitne, around 35 kilometres (20 miles) northeast of the city of Mariupol.

Four-way emergency Ukraine summit planned for Wednesday - Yahoo News

 

[Vikrant]

LONDON: Russia has threatened to target Denmark's warships with nuclear weapons if the Scandinavian nation becomes a member of Nato's missile defence shield.

In comments which have been met with anger in Copenhagen, the Russian ambassador to Denmark said a move towards better integration with the western alliance would make it a "threat to Russia", and that it would have to accept the consequences.

Mikhail Vanin told Jyllands-Posten newspaper: "I do not think that the Danes fully understand the consequences if Denmark joins the US-led missile defence shield. If that happens, Danish warships become targets for Russian nuclear missiles."

According to a translation by Copenhagen Post, Vanin added that while such a move would be "Denmark's decision", "relations with Russia will be damaged" and it would "lose both money and security".

...

Russia threatens Denmark with nuclear weapons if it tries to join Nato defence shield - The Times of India

 

[william the wie]

LONDON: Russia has threatened to target Denmark's warships with nuclear weapons if the Scandinavian nation becomes a member of Nato's missile defence shield.

In comments which have been met with anger in Copenhagen, the Russian ambassador to Denmark said a move towards better integration with the western alliance would make it a "threat to Russia", and that it would have to accept the consequences.

Mikhail Vanin told Jyllands-Posten newspaper: "I do not think that the Danes fully understand the consequences if Denmark joins the US-led missile defence shield. If that happens, Danish warships become targets for Russian nuclear missiles."

According to a translation by Copenhagen Post, Vanin added that while such a move would be "Denmark's decision", "relations with Russia will be damaged" and it would "lose both money and security".

...

Russia threatens Denmark with nuclear weapons if it tries to join Nato defence shield - The Times of India

Given the actions and inactions of the administration here and EU/NATO there over the past six years I don't see a downside to this action for Russia.