U.S. Says More Russian Troops, Weapons Enter Ukraine; Europe Stands By Truce

[uhnope]

Source: WSJ

European leaders on Thursday stood by the cease-fire they brokered a week ago for Ukraine, even as the U.S. said Russian equipment and troops continued to flow into the country and the Ukrainian military significantly raised its latest casualty toll.

Kiev and its Western backers had denounced a dayslong offensive by Russia-backed separatists to seize the strategic rail hub of Debaltseve as a violation of the cease-fire. But as fighting subsided generally after the hasty retreat on Wednesday by Ukrainian forces, none of the parties appeared willing to declare the latest deal dead.

“The four leaders agreed to rigorously implement the entirety of the package of measures” agreed to on Feb. 12, the office of French President François Hollande said after the conference call with leaders from Ukraine, Russia and Germany.

“Violations of the cease- fire observed in recent days were condemned,” Mr. Hollande’s office said, without specifying which side was responsible or who had condemned them.

Read more: http://www.wsj.com/articles/more-russian-troops-enter-ukraine-1424342640

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[geek tragedy]

1. what a farce. nt

[blackspade]

2. I don't understand the slow-mo invasion strategy.

The EU will do nothing to ultimately save Ukraine, so why the smoke and mirror routine by them and the Russians?

[geek tragedy]

3. The boiling frog theory. And it's working nt

[blackspade]

4. So what is the end game?

Will the EU be content to let the Russians re-absorb Ukraine?
How does a failed/annexed state right on their border help the Russians?
I just don't see the end game here.
It looks like the same failed strategies that lead to both the First and Second World Wars.

[geek tragedy]

5. Russia wants a constant state of conflict to keep Ukraine paralyzed and to make themselves

feel strong and healthy by bullying weaker nations.

Bullying the 'piglets' is all Russia has left.

http://www.vox.com/2014/12/18/7414949/vladimir-putins-insane-sounding-bear-quote-is-essential-for

Sometimes I think, maybe it would be better for our bear to sit quiet, rather than chasing around the forest after piglets. To sit eating berries and honey instead. Maybe they will leave it in peace. They will not. Because they will always try to put him on a chain, and as soon as they succeed in doing so they tear out his fangs and his claws.

http://www.vox.com/2014/12/1/7313443/vladimir-putin-merkel

The incident of Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel, and the dog is a famous one. It was 2007 and Merkel, Germany's Chancellor, was visiting Putin at his presidential residence in Sochi to discuss energy trade. Putin, surely aware of Merkel's well-known fear of dogs, waited until the press gathered in the room, then called for his black Labrador to be sent in. The Russian president watched in unconcealed glee as the dog sniffed at Merkel, who sat frozen in fear.

Later, in discussing the incident with a group of reporters, Merkel attempted an explanation of Putin's behavior. Her quote, reported in George Packer's recent profile of Merkel in the New Yorker, is one of the most pithily succinct insights into Putin and the psychology of his 14-year reign that I have read:

"I understand why he has to do this — to prove he's a man," Merkel said. "He's afraid of his own weakness. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. All they have is this."

Its essential nature is authoritarian, militaristic, nationalist, expansionist, and imperialist. Because size and brute strength is all they have going for them.

They only stop when they meet a foe that's stronger than them on the battlefield.

[lovuian]

6. I don't think Putin is

going to stop at the Ukraine....

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

7. Did Hitler get reincarnated by chance? When was Putin born?

[snooper2]

8. 1952, so unless reincarnation has a 7 year lapse....

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

9. OMG! Yes, there is around a 6-8 year lapse before reincarnation!

We're FUCKED!!