There's a lot of varied news and opinions in all media about Russia and Ukraine, and I too have much to say myself.Instead of me blogging, here are honest unedited opposing viewpoints from recent correspondence from Canada and Russia. These professionals do not know each other, but summarize the problem.
I added the bold.
From Canada, March 2014
This is a strategic economic opportunity for Canada. Europe needs an alternative source of petroleum products and natural gas. Rotterdam is set up to receive LNG [liquid natural gas] from offshore into the European pipeline network. Keystone XL will feed refineries that have been upgraded at great cost to produce low sulfur diesel that meets European standards. Russia will be more reasonable to deal with. These issues are being discussed by Harper and Merkel. Let’s be grateful that the PM is so capable.
From Russia, July 2014
I strongly empathize with the Russians in south-eastern Ukraine. In Odessa, my classmate Elena R’s only son has died. No doubt, you know, that the right-wing extremists, simply stated — as fascists — burnt people alive in the Union Building [in Odessa]. They were herded there, set afire, and those who managed to jump out the window, were clubbed to death on the ground. Elena’s son, who was 27 years old, jumped out the window, but the fascists, clubbed him to death. Currently people are being slaughtered in south-eastern Ukraine, and the world’s institutions in the name of democracy proclaim sanctions against Russia. For me, the word ‘democracy’ has become a swear word. If this is the sort of democracy that you have, then I want nothing to do with it!...
ReplyDeleteThe situation is getting more and more complicated and my view is that now it's no longer Russia vs. the West economic interests but rather a civil war with no particular purpose or logic. What is worrying here in Russia is the rise of uncontrolled aggression in the whole society stimulated by television news programs. It seems they've opened Pandora's box.
Thanks for this information. The Russia/Ukraine situation is not as simple as most folks think, particularly with respect to Putin’s actions in the region. For further clarification I would recommend the following two readings from the latest edition of FOREIGN AFFAIRS magazine.
ReplyDelete1. A Broken Promise: What the West Really Told Moscow About NATO Expansion, by Professor Mary Elise Sarotte from the University of Southern California.
http://goo.gl/ks6ATz
2. Why the Ukraine Crisis is the West’s Fault: The Liberal Delusions That Provoked Putin, by Professor John H Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago.
http://goo.gl/l0Gs0E
In my opinion, these are essential readings if one is to fully understand the geopolitical context of the “Ukraine Crisis.”