What is the US interest in the Ukraine?

[kentuck]

We have been giving them "aid" for more than 20 years. They have also received aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Is it more vital to Russia or to the US? Will Russian fight to defend it?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/28/world/europe/senate-approves-1-billion-in-aid-for-ukraine.html?_r=0

[geek tragedy]

1. Ukraine itself, not much? The idea that Russia can bully and invade its neighbors

is what matters.

[morningfog]

6. I've noticed you and others all over this and the connection

to Russia. To what end?

It is looking like it was done by the Russian backed rebels, even if by mistake. So what is the proposed response by the US towards Russia? And to what end? What is the objective?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. We like their easter eggs. nt

[TwilightGardener]

3. We did sort of promise we'd help them maintain their sovereignty in exchange

for giving up their nukes.

[yallerdawg]

16. Am I the only one who noticed the correct answer?

Thank you, TwilightGardener.

Just think if those Ukrainian separatists could have gotten some nukes?

We did think about it 20 years ago.

And promised...

[countingbluecars]

4. "Will Russian fight to defend it?"

Is that what you call what Russia is doing right now?

[kentuck]

9. Well, we know they protect their airspace pretty good.

Which costs the more? An American drone or a Russian BuK missile?

However, our drones may be too slow for the missiles? Either way, they would make good decoys...

[Octafish]

5. Well. It's what the ''money trumps peace'' cough neocons want.

Knock out Eurasia and steal, uh, get the oil. Of course, the same neocons thought Iraq was a walk in the park, so there's that.

[bigdarryl]

8. from what I heard this shit got started

Because Ukraine was going to join NATO and the Russians freaked out

[Octafish]

12. Ukraine in NATO could soon be an existential problem for Russian Federation.

Another part of the story that is missed by our corporate watchdog press is the Goldman Sachs angle.

Like you, bigdarryl, I don't want to see World War III. We know a lot of kids who are draft age and a lot of civilians who'd be in harm's way.

[kentuck]

17. The best solution may be ...

...that all the Parties involved in the crisis (war) must give up something. The infrastructure would remain intact, oil pipelines, etc. All Parties will need to compromise. Otherwise, it is headed down a very dark road.

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/06/3368881/natural-resources-ukraine-conflict/

Thanks to Octoberlib for the link:

[Little Star]

14. +1

[kentuck]

10. There's an old saying...

Does the flag follow the dollar or does the dollar follow the flag??

[Octafish]

13. An adage that may've adorned the wall at Brown Brothers Harriman.

"War is a Racket." -- Lt. Gen. Smedley Darlington Butler, USMC (ret.)

[octoberlib]

7. How A Fight Over Natural Resources Is Quietly Driving The World’s Response To Ukraine

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/06/3368881/natural-resources-ukraine-conflict/

[kentuck]

15. Thanks!!

Right on!

[magical thyme]

11. The Neocons want control of the pipeline

that connects Gazprom to Europe. Also maybe another military base to continue surrounding Russia.

really, it is just another resource war.

[socialist_n_TN]

21. "really, it is just another resource war". BINGO! THIS^^^^^^^^^^^

This whole situation has ALWAYS been a proxy battle between the varying imperialisms of the EU, Russia, and the USA. Look for MUCH more of this over the next few years as resources dwindle and the capitalists try to restore the rate of profit on ever diminishing resources.

[Spider Jerusalem]

18. Ukraine is a major transit point for European oil and gas pipelines.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

19. It's a pissing contest between Russian, Ukraine, and the EU.

And, of course, we just have to get our hose out and show them all who's got the biggest one.

[kentuck]

20. Basically ...

true.