UPDATE: The war between Russia and the Ukraine is now official, no response from other countries yet, will keep this thread updated.

Are they any Russian/Ukrainians on these forums? If so, what is your view on this whole situation (this applies to everyone else as well).

Basically, for anyone who doesn't know here is a summary of what is currently happening right now (re-post from my Facebook status I made about it) ;

The Russian flag was just raised in the city of Kharkiv, Putin sees this as an opportunity to take control of Crimea and other parts of the Ukraine which I suspect will end badly.

The US stated they would act aggressively if Russian troops were sent to the Ukraine , and Putin ignored the message and the Russian government decided they are going to do it anyways. Thousands of soldiers have already landed and seized control of strategic points like airports and coastal/land marks around the border as well as Russian military gathering near the borders and several flags being marched through out Ukraine.

The UN has called a meeting to decide how they will react to the situation , hopefully no mention of nuclear warfare will come up.

Now my thoughts on how this could play out (little to no violence); Obviously it is clear Putin's main goal is to seize control of Crimea most likely due to the fact the majority of the population is Russian how ever I do believe that the invasion was not necessary mainly because Crimea participated in the riots and wants to be a part of the rest of Ukraine, so Putin most likely saw this as an opportunity to seize control (he does not stand alone; the whole seat of Russian government is giving his actions support) ― personally I think the best action to take is to withdraw the majority of troops (some must stay for security reasons) and Putin / Russian government should go to the Crimea parliament building to discuss the future of Crimea (even if it is not controlled by Russia, they can still have relations with them) of course all of this would be to avoid war as Obama would not back down if the military action continued, and the people of Crimea deserve a say in their own future.

What do you guys think?

Update: Talk of Russia being removed from the G-8, UN security council, and World Trade Center have surfaced.

Update:15,000 more Russian troops in Crimea, Ukraine announces all relations with Moscow are now gone.

Update: Two Russian anti-submarine warships have appeared outside of Sevastopol coasts violating the base agreement.  

This wont end nicely. Even if Russia took control of the situation and placed another guy in charge when it was over... the people of Ukraine would still want democracy. This would just piss them off even more. Putin was stupid to interfere just because russias flag was raised. Ive seen videos of people in Ukraine waving the U.S. flag. You dont see marines in ukraine right now lol

In the end I think what needs to happen will happen.  

Ukrainians have assessed the Russian troop landing as an aggressive threat to the sovereignty of Ukraine, which will lead to violence and more riots, US and Russia have been looking for an excuse to go to war ever since the end of the cold war, and I doubt this will end peacefully.  

****.

More war.  

I can see violence playing out through ground troops, but not as much as previous wars.

It would most likely end up into a nuclear stare-down similar to the cold war, both Russia and US know that if nuclear war broke out it could mean the end of civilization so I don't think any of them are stupid enough to pull the trigger (Hopefully).

I can see this all blowing out of the water in a few months, once Ukraine settles down with their new government and such everything should return to normal.  

that's what they get for trying to prevent vitali klitchsko from running for president.  

I think the Western world has no choice but to face the Russians. If Nato forces go in then Russia will back down. If not they may have to be removed some other way.  

Posted by lord greg

I think the Western world has no choice but to face the Russians. If Nato forces go in then Russia will back down. If not they may have to be removed some other way.

Russia sent troops in even after they were told military action would be taken against them, so they most likely won't back down.  

Posted by KaljaTheWizard

Russia sent troops in even after they were told military action would be taken against them, so they most likely won't back down.

They assume they are hollow words. If actions back up these words then they are more likely to see sense.  

Update: Ukraine is dropping all relations with Moscow if this activity keeps up.

Posted by lord greg

They assume they are hollow words. If actions back up these words then they are more likely to see sense.

Putin wants to have war against the U.S, and if allied troops have to be sent they are no longer offering the chance for him to back down without facing consequences.  

Posted by KaljaTheWizard

Update: Ukraine is dropping all relations with Moscow if this activity keeps up.




Putin wants to have war against the U.S, and if allied troops have to be sent they are no longer offering the chance for him to back down without facing consequences.

Not even Russia is stupid enough to go to war. If Russia decides to go to war they will almost certainly be fighting US, UK, France, Germany, Italy and countless other nations. Russia has very few allies of that calibre.  

Major Allies

Regional Allies: (Some of the former Soviet Bloc Countries)

Middle East: Syria, Iran, Egypt

Asia: China

Americas: Mexico, Venezula

Minor Allies:

Various South American / Central American Countries, Cuba

Russians allies, also Korea would be allied with Russia in they event of a war.  

Posted by KaljaTheWizard

Major Allies

Regional Allies: (Some of the former Soviet Bloc Countries)

Middle East: Syria, Iran, Egypt

Asia: China

Americas: Mexico, Venezula

Minor Allies:

Various South American / Central American Countries, Cuba

Russians allies, also Korea would be allied with Russia in they event of a war.

Their American 'allies' would not back them. None of them would be able to stand up to the US. The only American country who could possible back them would be Argentina but then only to try and take the Falklands off the British. Syria is in no position to help anyone out these days. China is too clever to fight the Western world. It needs the money that comes from trade with them.  

China is a very rich country, and America is in a lot of debt from them your statement is backwards.

China and Korea are both powerful countries, which people fail to realize.

Update: 15,000 more Russian troops have landed  

Posted by KaljaTheWizard

China is a very rich country, and America is in a lot of debt from them your statement is backwards.

China and Korea are both powerful countries, which people fail to realize.

Update: 15,000 more Russian troops have landed

China is rich from trade with the West. Korea is led by a bumbling fool who couldn't win a war against anyone.