Ukraine protests: Thousands march through capital
- over 100,000 by some counts
Ukrainian protesters besiege government building
Clashes amid huge Ukraine protest against U-turn on EU
Over 300,000 defy protest ban in Ukraine- "Fierce clashes erupt after protesters take to streets again, chanting "revolution" as anger against government grows."
What started as a protest against the decision not to sign an agreement with the EU seems to have escalated into a "Color Revolution" or "Arab Spring" style movement to force the government to resign. By some reports, the police are using violent tactics to suppress the street protests.
The Western half of the Ukraine has historically felt closer to Europe , and wants to move Ukrainian society in that direction. Eastern Ukraine feels culturally closer to Russia, and favors closer relations with that country. The current regime of President Viktor Yanukovich is part of that camp. The current confrontations can be seen as a clash between these two halves of Ukrainian society.
EDIT (2/24/2022)
This thread was originally opened in 2013 during the beginning of the revolt in Ukraine that eventually over-threw the dictatorship of the Yanukovyich regime and instituted democratic elections soon afterward. As of this writing, in the aftermath of the Russian invasion that began on 2/23, it is not clear whether or for how long Ukraine will continue to exist as an independent country.
Statements made nine years ago still seem relevant: "The Western half of the Ukraine has historically felt closer to Europe , and wants to move Ukrainian society in that direction. Eastern Ukraine feels culturally closer to Russia, and favors closer relations with that country... The current confrontations can be seen as a clash between these two halves of Ukrainian society." Some people have expressed the view that the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, beginning in 2014, never really ended.
The invasion is also a result of certain grievances proclaimed by Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, and used by him as justification for armed attack and occupation. Western governments, and others around the world, have joined together in condemnation of this attack.
While we do not know what the ultimate outcome of these events will be, this thread will continue to be made available as a place to record news, ask questions and express opinions about the "Crisis in Ukraine."
This map will help track the latest developments.
Do not post anything about the Ukrainian military movement and strategy. This could actually result in casualties.
No discussion regarding nuclear war. As nuclear weapons are not being used by either side, nuclear war is off-topic.
When posting social media links, please (1) state the source [e.g. Reuters reporter? State-sponsored Facebook account? Civilian Twitter?] (2) clarify if it is fact or opinion and (3) summarize the information being presented.
Edited by Tabs on Mar 20th 2022 at 4:26:26 AM
Orban as been acting as Putin's Mole in the west since the war's beginning and there was recent news awhile back that Orban has been spending support towards various Republican Think Tanks. He was invited to speak to the Heritage foundation not too long ago which he did while directly snubbing Biden. Would not be surprised if he's throwing money, including Russian money, to buy out these groups and thus buy out the Politicians under them.
Since the Pro-Putin wing can't openly support Putin, they fall back on supporting Orban.
With MTG though it's getting to be a point that everyone who aren't part of the MAGA wing realize that she's compromised by something. Even Fox news is calling her names now.
Edited by Roguemind on Apr 21st 2024 at 10:48:51 AM
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
I'd throw in Fico and Pellegrini.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Pellegrini
Who?
Foreign Troper
So, I do not say this lightly, but kudos to Speaker Mike Johnson for making the Ukraine aid possible
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Last I heard, several Reps responded to MTG's threat of removing the Speaker for not stonewalling the vote by threatening to resign themselves and pass majority to the Dems. That would've been a sight to see.
Also, the Russians are pushing the usual BS of the US using Ukrainians as cannon fodder. I'd like to see an official US reply openly calling Russia hypocrites by pointing out that Russia is doing the same with Far Eastern and Central Asian minorities.
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
- Peter Pellegrini's the Slovak president. He's a leftist, but has populist views and supports Putin's views on taking Ukraine.
Edited by Ominae on Apr 22nd 2024 at 4:34:19 AM
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
I actually wanted to be Resileaf
I don't really think he deserves kudoes for blocking it for so long in the first place.
Oh, bother.
The best thing you can say is "better late than never".
Disgusted, but not surprised
Lost in Space
If Johnson Wants a Prize for Basic Decency, he can suck on a frog. Still, this is good news, so I won't grouse too much.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
He did the job he was suppose to do months ago despite the mess he helped cause, do not let Republicans lower the standards.
Never trust anyone who uses "degenerate" as an insult.
Foreign Troper
We should take what we get. Better a Republican who has a change of heart than one like MTG.
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Deranged X-Mas Figure
Are we sure it's not because recent events with Israel put him between a rock and a hard place?
Doctor Who — Long Way Around: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13536044/1/Doctor-Who-Long-Way-Around
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 21, 2024
- US claims that aid can be delivered by end of week if the bill passes senate.
- Ukraine damaged a Russian submarine support ship.
- Pro-Russian electoral block was created in Moldova. They plan to run a presidential candidate in October.
- Russia signed a memorandum of understanding with China.
- Russia blocked Reporters without Borders.
- Russia made gains.
Will the aid be enough?
I actually wanted to be Resileaf
With luck, the US aid will make Europe start being more active in giving aid as well.
Who Am I?
From what I understand, the CIA sat down with Johnson and he had a "Come to Jesus" moment when he finally realized just what exactly is at stake.
"We learn from history that we do not learn from history."
Yeah. And let's be fair, I can praise someone for legitimately having a change of heart and working to fix their mistakes.
I despise hypocrisy, unless of course it is my own.
I actually wanted to be Resileaf
Considering the dire consequences that delaying this aid by months has had and will have, I am not going to consider this change of heart praise-worthy.
Either way, we do have the threat of a new counteroffensive by Russia soon, right? As far as I'm concerned, it's up to the US Senate to guarantee that Ukraine now has the money to get what it needs to hold off this counteroffensive. What they need is more manpower to use the new weapons they can get.
I mean, if the Russians want America to get directly involved, I'd be all for it. 
Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Apr 22nd 2024 at 11:39:31 AM
Welcome to Estalia, gentlemen.
'twould sort out this mess quite rightly, I'm sure. I understand why it's not happening, though. Ukraine is just not important enough to US geopolitical strategy, and actually getting a declaration of war through congress will be a nightmare.
Edited by Kayeka on Apr 22nd 2024 at 11:44:32 AM
It's worth noting that pretty much nobody actually declares war in an official fashion anymore these days, mainly due to all the restrictions it puts on third parties, if I recall correctly.
Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Apr 22nd 2024 at 11:57:11 AM
Welcome to Estalia, gentlemen.
A "special military operation", then, whatever.
Well they do, but only on non-state actors or vice-versa.
I'm sure there are lots of places where Ukraine needs to improve it's policy towards minority language speakers. But we all know that's not what this is really about.