Russia, Ukraine and the West

[George S.]

the last thing on the russia'smind is to let states breakaway.What signal will it send to the others.Without the states Russia is only like Moscow.Let me know but the ukrain has gas & someone said it is the breadbasket of Russia.You got other states like Chechnya & others wanting to break free very soon there won't be any Russia left.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Originally Posted by Vangelovski

I wouldn't necessarily call them fascists.

Perhaps not all of them, but the comments of their leader and the white power and swastika-like symbols used by some of their supporters is something they can do without.

They have some racist policies which are counter-balanced by some very liberal minority group policies.

That's more of an oxymoron than a counter-balance. Patriotism is no excuse and doesn't cancel out the racist tendencies held by some of their members. They should rid themselves of that element.

[George S.]

Lo?ok at the way ultranationalism gets to form at the same time all these symbols & things pop up from time to time suggesting racism.Think about it is it patriotism & defending one's country or is it some derogary description of a person wh has to be put on a black list & hunted down like an abimal.Who the hell decides what people are ultranationals,patriots etc etc or racists????Is it the media or who.

[EgejskaMakedonia]

I didn't realise the division was so intense. There's a guy at my work who's from the Ukraine and has no issue being called Russian, however he may be a member of the Russian minority mentioned above.

Russia's lengthy presence and strict assimilation policy against the Ukraine would've had a considerable impact on the population. On the other hand, it would not surprise me if there's a 'cool' factor involved, akin to Macedonians adopting Serbian music, culture, words simply because of an ill conceived perception that it's 'trendy.' Either way, Macedonians can directly relate.

[Vangelovski]

Originally Posted by Soldier of Macedon

That's more of an oxymoron than a counter-balance. Patriotism is no excuse and doesn't cancel out the racist tendencies held by some of their members. They should rid themselves of that element.

Counter-balance was a bad term - contradiction is what I was looking for..but I agree, there seem to be some extremes in their party platform there.

[Gocka]

21 people died in Ukraine on Tuesday. From what the news is reporting the deaths were caused when police raided a protesters camp in Kiev. 7 of the dead were police officers.

I would have expected that there would be more violence between rival factions protesters but it seems like the violence is happening exclusively between the government and anti government protesters. It makes you wonder if its really true that the country is split between Russia and the EU or if this thing is mostly an anti government movement.

[Gocka]

84 people died recently in Ukraine and the President has ran away and go into hiding and it is presumed he is being protected by Russia.

It is also being suggested that Russia is poised to annex the regions of Ukraine that predominantly identify as ethnic Russians. This thing is unfolding just like I said it would, and it all happening so fast. There are speculations that Russia may make a move in the next week or two.

I hope this doesn't get uglier, Ukrainians have struggled so much since WW2

[Risto the Great]

I don't like that kind of hate infused journalism here.

[Vangelovski]

Sorry Lavce, I agree with the others - this article's way over the top in the racism department.

[Soldier of Macedon]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...f-Ukraine.html

Looks like either Russia or Russian elements within Ukraine may be making some military moves.