Thursday, February 27, 2014

Is Russian President Putin Sending A Message To Ukraine?


Is Putin Sending Message To Ukraine With Russian Military Drills? -- Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor

Putin's order for military exercises near Ukraine is sure to rattle nerves around Europe. But the Kremlin also appears hesitant to expand Russian Ukrainians' access to citizenship.

Russia appears to be keeping all its options open when it comes to the increasingly separatist indications coming out of Ukraine's east and south.

Even as the Kremlin appeared to be putting the brakes on efforts by parliamentarian hardliners to expand citizenship for ethnic Russians in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin ordered surprise military exercises in the western and central military districts that abut Ukraine.

"The Supreme Commander-in-Chief has set tasks to check capability of troops to take actions to settle crisis situations that pose a threat to military security of the country as well as terrorism-related, sanitary epidemiological and man-made emergencies," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is quoted by Russian news agencies as telling a meeting of military leaders.

Read more ....

Update: This map helps put Russia’s military moves near Ukraine in perspective -- Adam Taylor, Washington Post

My Comment: Moscow is sending a message .... and everyone (including the U.S.) has noticed it. The next question that needs to be answered is ... what will Putin do next? My prediction .... nothing .... and by doing nothing (no financial/economic aid) he will be having a tremendous impact on what happens next in Ukraine.

No comments: