After fighting took place yesterday in Crimea, things looked extremely tense. Today, however, Ukraine has taken the first steps to withdraw all of its military forces from that region. In other words, Ukraine is surrendering its claim to Crimea. To be sure, the leadership in Kiev will announce that Crimea is still part of the country and that the Russian annexation was illegal, but there will be no actual steps taken to try to undo that transfer of power.
It is not surprising that Ukraine has thrown in the towel. Its forces could never match those of the Russians. The Russian military does not just hold the edge in any battle; the Ukrainians are so weak and unarmed that the only question would be the number of days until the entire country of Ukraine was lost. Absent foreign help, Ukraine cannot stand up to Russia. Of course, there was no meaningful foreign help. President Obama practically fell over in his rush to the microphone to state categorically that no American forces would get involved in the dispute. Even when the Ukrainian prime minister came to Washington to ask only to purchase arms, Obama refused any help. Instead of arms, Obama offered MREs, the "meals ready to eat" that the military uses as field rations. It would be hard to find a clearer signal that Obama would not allow any American help to Ukraine to defend its territory. The European Union did not even offer to sell Ukraine food. That left Ukraine two alternatives: surrender or suicide. The Ukrainians chose surrender.
It will be interesting to see what Obama and the EU do now. So far the West has imposed ridiculous sanctions on 12 people for their roles in this fiasco. In response, Putin has let slip that Russia may stop cooperating with regard to Iran. This remark is meant to pressure Obama and his fellow idiots into backing away from the silly sanctions. No one cares about the sanctions themselves, but if Putin can get the Obama and the EU to back down, it will be an important symbolic victory. Countries like Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and the remainder of Ukraine will understand that Obama will not remain steadfast even with regard to nonsensical sanctions. When there is even a hint of opposition from Russia, Obama will quickly back down. Margaret Thatcher was called the "Iron Lady" for her stiff spine when facing trouble. Maybe we should start calling Obama the "Jelly Man".
It is not surprising that Ukraine has thrown in the towel. Its forces could never match those of the Russians. The Russian military does not just hold the edge in any battle; the Ukrainians are so weak and unarmed that the only question would be the number of days until the entire country of Ukraine was lost. Absent foreign help, Ukraine cannot stand up to Russia. Of course, there was no meaningful foreign help. President Obama practically fell over in his rush to the microphone to state categorically that no American forces would get involved in the dispute. Even when the Ukrainian prime minister came to Washington to ask only to purchase arms, Obama refused any help. Instead of arms, Obama offered MREs, the "meals ready to eat" that the military uses as field rations. It would be hard to find a clearer signal that Obama would not allow any American help to Ukraine to defend its territory. The European Union did not even offer to sell Ukraine food. That left Ukraine two alternatives: surrender or suicide. The Ukrainians chose surrender.
It will be interesting to see what Obama and the EU do now. So far the West has imposed ridiculous sanctions on 12 people for their roles in this fiasco. In response, Putin has let slip that Russia may stop cooperating with regard to Iran. This remark is meant to pressure Obama and his fellow idiots into backing away from the silly sanctions. No one cares about the sanctions themselves, but if Putin can get the Obama and the EU to back down, it will be an important symbolic victory. Countries like Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and the remainder of Ukraine will understand that Obama will not remain steadfast even with regard to nonsensical sanctions. When there is even a hint of opposition from Russia, Obama will quickly back down. Margaret Thatcher was called the "Iron Lady" for her stiff spine when facing trouble. Maybe we should start calling Obama the "Jelly Man".
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