Ukraine & NATO

[Max_the_Highlander]

Well I dont think Russia thinks every day how to do something damaging to Ukraine. Real Russian citizens are not agressive or hostile to Ukrainians. But its power becomes less democratic and more authoritarian every single day. Russia is big country and last time it tends to some sort of imperialism.

It's not supported by everyone there but it's the mindset of present authority.

I don't believe in any military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, quite the contrary, the trade amount grows. But also I feel relation are getting colder. The fault is not ours. Russia becomes more chauvinistic and imperialistic state, they look their own ways but in such situation their ways are not our ways.

Ukraine just wants World integration and recognition so moving together with Russia for its glory is not exactly our aim.

[stepanstas]

Applauce for that reply.

This underscores my point.

1) I find some fault in what you say. russians are somewhat damaging to Ukraine. In east Ukraine it would feel just like russia. The Ukrainian language is destroyed there and they are the ones responsable.

2) Russia grows and seeks its own interests. Why dont we do the same? They are trying to influence our decision and I, for one, will not take that.

[bm-21Lemko]

I agree with max, there isn't going to be any military conflicts with Russia when they have there black sea fleet positioned in the Crimea.

Though Russia is becoming more aggressive, so I wouldn't be surprised if it did happen.

Ukraine's military is quite large, except for the navy. I don't know what happened there. I assume that is why they lent Crimean naval bases to the Russians.

[stepanstas]

bm-21Lemko,

Do you know what happened recently with the Black Sea?

I think something with russia doing something without Ukraines permission.

All i saw on the news was that Ukraine sent over a petiotion to them.

Can you provide details?

[bm-21Lemko]

yes, something as to an air to surface missle washing ashore in the crimea. There was no detonation device inside the missle, I believe it was KH cruise missle, not sure though.

The Russians claim they were conducting some excercise and it was their right to conduct it without the knowledge of the Ukrainian government.

Heres a piece of the article.

The Ukrainian ministry said an air-to-underwater missile was found in the Alushta District of the Crimea on April 27, adding that Black Sea Fleet representatives had later provided documents proving that the missile belonged to a Black Sea Fleet military unit. The ministry said a Russian ship tested the missile on April 15 and the missile was lost.

The ministry said the tests had not been coordinated with the Ukraine, as envisioned by the 1997 agreement on the status and conditions of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's stay in Ukraine.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet currently uses a range of naval facilities in the Crimea under a 1997 agreement allowing Russia to lease the base from its ex-Soviet neighbor for $93 million per year.

RIA Novosti - Russia - Russian Navy denies reports of Black Sea missile loss

I have not heard of any petition.

I guess if the government wanted to, they could deny the agreement and russia would cut off natural gas.

[stepanstas]

bm-21Lemko

Thats an interesting story and shows again how good of a neighbor russia is.

[bm-21Lemko]

I agree with you stepanstas, that Russia is quite an unfriendly neighbor. Though the problem is Ukraine relies on Russia for a

number of things from markets to natural resources. Its like kicking an addiction, its tough and painful.