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In reply to the discussion: Ukraine: Donetsk bridges blown up to halt access to rebel-held city [View all]Benton D Struckcheon
(2,347 posts)10. Well, it's interesting,
in that it's obvious that Putin had the rest of east Ukraine in his sights when he took Crimea.
The awkwardness of the situation as it currently exists is highlighted in this piece:
Compounding the problem is a relentless campaign by state-controlled Russian television to portray Ukraine as a strife-torn country teeming with Russian-hating skinheads.
To reach Crimea by land, most Russians have to travel through Ukraine.
...
"Airline flights cannot provide us with the necessary quantity of tourists, they have a limited capacity," says Dilyara Yakubova, a hotel and restaurant owner in Yevpatoria. "Ferries can't cope, either. When a person stands for 14-15 hours on a ferry and just as much time -- if not more -- on the way back, the holiday is a little spoiled. This is obviously not very encouraging for people who come here to relax."
To reach Crimea by land, most Russians have to travel through Ukraine.
...
"Airline flights cannot provide us with the necessary quantity of tourists, they have a limited capacity," says Dilyara Yakubova, a hotel and restaurant owner in Yevpatoria. "Ferries can't cope, either. When a person stands for 14-15 hours on a ferry and just as much time -- if not more -- on the way back, the holiday is a little spoiled. This is obviously not very encouraging for people who come here to relax."
This isn't what Putin was planning, you can be sure. He got stopped by the prospect of stiff sanctions, having been shocked by the effect the first ones had, and the collateral damage done to the ruble and the Russian stock market. Whether or not he goes in is going to be a tough decision: if he doesn't he risks alienating the nationalists he cultivated when he took Crimea, but if he does he risks another run on the stock market and the ruble, on top of which would come even more sanctions.
Putin's finding out that as bad as defeat might be, victory could be a total disaster.
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Ukraine: Donetsk bridges blown up to halt access to rebel-held city [View all]
bemildred
Jul 2014
OP
Conciliatory noises would be helpful too, and letting food in, and so on, like somebody said.
bemildred
Jul 2014
#24
Yes. If you look at a map, destroying bridges on the rivers entering Donetsk and
JDPriestly
Jul 2014
#43
Well, it's flat. No natural barriers except the rivers, perhaps some forests, and roads everywhere.
bemildred
Jul 2014
#64
I am not sure of the pronoun reference of "they" after the comma in this sentence.
JDPriestly
Jul 2014
#74
The Rebels are a combination of rebellious locals and outsiders come in to help.
bemildred
Jul 2014
#75
I think Putin dipped his toes in the East without committing himself for a swim.
Tommy_Carcetti
Jul 2014
#31
All that gas, at the cost of losing a certain amount of its trade with Europe, its best
JDPriestly
Jul 2014
#49
That Last Is The Point, Sir: It Had To be Done On The Down-Low Or It Could Not Be Done At All
The Magistrate
Jul 2014
#65
I think he might be "forced" to do something, if it gets bloody enough for long enough.
bemildred
Jul 2014
#14
China, If Anything, Is Licking Its Chops At The Opportunity Weakened Russia Presents, Sir
The Magistrate
Jul 2014
#22
Indeed, and Moscow would also have to face an even more humiliating reality:
geek tragedy
Jul 2014
#78
And When You Started Cheerleading Secessionist Violence, Sir, There Were Human Lives Involved Too
The Magistrate
Jul 2014
#26