General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFascism, Russia, and Ukraine
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2014/mar/20/fascism-russia-and-ukraine/On the contrary, it is a hierarchical organization, which by its nature seems unlikely to admit any members that are democracies with the rule of law and human rights. Any democracy within the Eurasian Union would pose a threat to Putins rule in Russia. Putin wants Ukraine in his Eurasian Union, which means that Ukraine must be authoritarian, which means that the Maidan must be crushed.
The dictatorship laws of January 16 were obviously based on Russian models, and were proposed by Ukrainian legislators with close ties to Moscow. They seem to have been Russias condition for financial support of the Yanukovych regime. Before they were announced, Putin offered Ukraine a large loan and promised reductions in the price of Russian natural gas. But in January the result was not a capitulation to Russia. The people of the Maidan defended themselves, and the protests continue. Where this will lead is anyones guess; only the Kremlin expresses certainty about what it all means.
The protests in the Maidan, we are told again and again by Russian propaganda and by the Kremlins friends in Ukraine, mean the return of National Socialism to Europe. The Russian foreign minister, in Munich, lectured the Germans about their support of people who salute Hitler. The Russian media continually make the claim that the Ukrainians who protest are Nazis. Naturally, it is important to be attentive to the far right in Ukrainian politics and history. It is still a serious presence today, although less important than the far right in France, Austria, or the Netherlands. Yet it is the Ukrainian regime rather than its opponents that resorts to anti-Semitism, instructing its riot police that the opposition is led by Jews. In other words, the Ukrainian government is telling itself that its opponents are Jews and us that its opponents are Nazis.
Just a bit of a break from the Russophilia that seems to have taken over a lot of DU's Ukraine discussions...
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)... the very real presence of some right wing radicals among the Euromaidan protestors, and an understandable reaction against America's tendency to imperialism. However, I think may of the "Russophiles" are WAY to quick to ignore Russia's history of empire, particularly with regard to Russia's history in Ukraine! They also conveniently ignore the behavior of Yanukovich and his clear willingness to subjugate Ukraine to Russia in exchange for holding power. Look at him today... requesting that Russia guarantee his safety. Let's be clear, he's INVITING Russian intervention into Ukraine.
Larysa
(2 posts)Hello everybody,
I am not a politician. I am just ordinary Ukrainian citizen, who lives in Eastern Ukraine (Dnipropetrovsk=Dniepropetrovsk).
Russia and its leader Putin, like Hitler in the last century, want to take away the territory independent country Ukraine and to establish the Russian dictatorship.
Putin did it in the past. Please, remember Georgia (the part of this independent country is under Russia). Putin ignores all existing politic contracts, and dont respect the rights of other countries. When Ukraine refused from Nuclear weapons, whick was in my country after Soviet Union Ruin, the countries, such as USA, Great Britain and Russia signed Budapeshts Agreement. According to this agreement, 3 above-named countries undertook to protect the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine.
Now, Russia attacked the Ukraine, military people of Russia are in Crimea, they blocked our military divisions. Moreover, Russian propaganda is very lie, and, unfortunately, very powerful and successful.
Please, believe me. People of different nationalities live in Ukraine peacefully, respecting each other. Russia tries to push off people of different nationalities who live in my country.
Now, Russia says lies and twists the facts. They did it to justify the military actions in Ukraine.
Please, help us to stop this new Hitler. Hitler did the same. At the beginning he subdued one country, other countries kept silent, then subdued another, and then... You know history. Just remind how many people died in the 2nd world war. Such history shouldnt repeat. The new Hitler (I mean dictator Putin) should be stopped at once. Please, help to do it.
Please, help Ukraine. Thanks in advance.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)In more recent times, the US played a big part in the Soviet Union pulling out of eastern Europe. The people here cheered. We cheered because we wish upon everyone the same freedom we have here.
Our President Carter, in office from 1976 thru 1980, was the President that began the Human Rights campaign which began the downfall of the Soviet Union. We have not forgotten you and we won't.
Remember that we got rid of the Soviet Union without one shot being fired. We wish to see that same kind of success, now, in your country. Would that not be better for all involved that we bring freedom without using violence?
Larysa
(2 posts)Freedom without using violence is perfect motto. However, now Russian tanks and soldiers are in our Ukrainian territory, in Crimea. It is real military violence. They required so that our soldiers laid down weapons. Russian is very powerful aggressive imperia.
Russian invaders blocking our military units require delivery of weapons. I saw Yesterday on TV, wives of our soldiers with their small children have gone out and stranded in front of Ukrainian military unit, before Russian tanks (armored troop-carriers) and armed soldier. Our military people did not shoot the Russian invaders, so that Putin couldnt Ukraine blame for the deaths of Russian soldiers-invaders. Frankly speaking, Russian invaders also did not shoot.
THEY OCCUPIED OUR UKRAINIAN TERRITORY, TERRITORY OF INDEPENDENT COUNTRY AND BLOCKED ALL UKRAINIAN MILLITARY UNITS IN CRIMEA!!!
It is very difficult for Ukraine to stop Russian violence without help of other countries (political, economic, and military).
To understand me, just imagine, that somebody occupy your country. What would be your reaction in this case?
Cant you see parallel in history, when Hitler occupied Poland, Austria in last century? Nobody helped Poland those days
It was the beginning of World War II. Putin was very successful in Georgia (country, not American state). Now he tried to do the same in Ukraine
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)And we see that the soldiers and their wives, together, have stood up for themselves. It is a great thing the people are doing. And doing it with no violence!!
Let me say this as clearly as I can. We Americans know that with our violence can go anywhere and do anything we desire. We have had Presidents that lied to us, telling us that they needed to use our force to invade other countries, much as Hitler did. We too can be fooled. So we know. Some of our fathers fought in WW2. We know about war.
Now we don't want war. We don't want violence. We elected President Obama mainly because he held out the promise of using violence only as a last resort. We, and he, Obama, don't see using our force in your country or against Russia as a good idea. But we do stand ready to do what we can short of violence. Surely you do not want violence?
I can not speak for Obama much beyond that, but as for the Russians wanting to stay and keep their Navy in your country, it seems as though that is something to negotiate. And your example of standing up to the Russian soldiers without violence is a great example for us all to move forward in peace.
Remember, our country did invade and occupy with violence two countries, Iraq and Afghanistan, in the last 10 years. You really would not be all that safe depending on our military to solve your problems. But there are many other things we can do to help you, and rest assured, knowing that we Americans do support fully our country helping you in your quest to be free.
This will not be another world war. Putin, while not as bad as our Bush, is a dangerous man, but we think our President Obama and Sec. of State Kerry can deal with him and keep him from causing too much problem. He is no Hitler. Hitler was just flat out crazy. Putin has too much money to lose to go crazy.