The situation in the Urkaine is deteriorating each day. Putin now seems to oppose a new round of elections that offers a civilized solution:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4060763.stm
Clearly he realizes that new elections won't benefit his favourite Yanukovych, showing his true democratic nature. It's hard to expect that Yushchenko's supporters will go home quietly. Looks like tanks will be needed to keep this country of 48 million people together. Question is: will it be Ukranian or Russian tanks?

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2011 Prius

well, you know that Uk tanks are actually Russian tanks but i still don't think any are going to roll. I doubt Putin is looking for another war on his border and if tanks roll that's what will happen...

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72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon

...he can take his cues from the US and attack, invade and occupy Ukraine so as to preemptively "liberate" the beleagured population. The new US rules of international conflict management: If it feels good, just do it.

Since there's also a sizeable ethnic Russian community in the Ukraine, he could take his cues from a certain someone who freed an "oppressed" minority in the Sudetenland...strange bedfellows. Not so strange really...

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

When Halliburton sends him telepathic brainwave instructions.

...oh, I'm sure they've already offered their no bid contract for approval.

Actually, if he was going to act like the US, wouldn't he solve his Ukranian problem by invading Finland?

Or he could do what Clinto did, try to take polls to decide what he should be thinking then initiate a study as to weather there was any controllling authority to do something.......then sleep with the first fat lady he finds.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

P. will have no problem finding some pressing motive to help out the poor Russian minority majority in the Ukraine.The pro-Russian Uk. prez Kuchma is now in Moscow to discuss tactics. (BTW, who was it that said no foreign influence in this crisis?). It's hard to expect that P. will allow a split of the country, in view of his handling of the seperatist movement in Chechnya.

Also: have you notice what happened to Yushchenko face lately? He used to have filmstar looks, but now he's turning into some Quasimodo. He's had treatment abroad and rumour has it he's been poisened.

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2011 Prius

Install an electoral college in Ukraine and backdate it before the election. Hey it worked for W. the first time.

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The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!

Putin is a creature of Europe. Putin and Chirac are tight. Both see their countries as a balance against a resurgent Germany. Both also see their respective countries as ready to become global leaders and they seek leadership by being an alternative, at any possible juncture, of the USA.

The paths they've chosen to personal power different, but their goals are parallel.

Putin is a creature of the Soviet-era KGB--nuff said?

.... got a new foil hat, Bot?

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2011 Prius

If memory serves, doesn't Ukraine contain most of the industrial base of the old Soviet Union? ...if I'm right, I'm sure that Putin would love to regain control...

I was under the impression Ukraine was more the "bread basket" of the area. Also, over thousands of years Ukraine has been a part of Russia more often than not, not very happliy, one might add - during WWII Ukraine supplied thousands of troops to the Nazis.