Question: Will Russia take a slice of east Ukraine (for a land route to Crimea)?

[cthulu2016]

Crimea is very nearly an island, and from Russian can only be reached by sea and air.

By annexing a strip of easternmost Ukraine Russia can connect Russia to Crimea. The great majority of Ukrainians currently in such a strip are pro-Russian.

The body of water above Kerch here is, IIRC, the Sea of Azov, so we are talking about annexing the entire Ukrainian coast on the sea of Azov. (Not the Ukrainian coast on the Black Sea.)



So, will Russia do that? Your opinion?

I don't have a theory other than it is likely enough to be called a reasonable possibility. More than 10%. It is something our government is quite worried about, but not necessarily predicting.

[pscot]

1. Maybe a 99 year lease on one small corner of Ukraine

He could probably make them an offer they wouldn't be able to refuse.

[MindMover]

2. They are the poorest and currently cost the Ukraine ...

2-4 billion annually ... so I say go for it mother Russia ...the cost to do infrastructure will be in the billions ...

[Historic NY]

3. Heard they are building a bridge.

[JVS]

4. A bridge at Kerch seems easier

[reformist2]

5. I think the stage is set for a few more districts to secede, and rightfully so, I might add.

Note how the two easternmost provinces were more for Yanukovich (pro-Russia) than the Crimea. The vote there was 90%/10%, and these were the official results.

[cthulu2016]

6. ...

Last edited Wed Mar 19, 2014, 11:32 PM - Edit history (1)

[geek tragedy]

8. your cheerleading for Russia to annex a sovereign country is shameful and transparent and dishonest

Yanukovych at no time advocated annexation with Russia. Indeed up until late 2013 he favored closer intergration of Ukraine with the EU.

Only 25% of the East and 19% of the South want to join Russia.

http://www.kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=reports&id=236&page=1


So it is utterly and completely dishonest to state that districts that voted for him want to be annexed by Russia.

Please do not pretend that you are interested in the right to secede and self-determination, given your constant cheerleading for Russia and your willful distortion and misrepresentation of what the people of Ukraine want.

[bemildred]

7. Only if Ukraine is foolish enough to try to cut them off. nt

[left-of-center2012]

9. Yes

Russia will take eastern Ukraine.