again, "it's all in the sources" chosen. Notwithstanding your purposeful want to continue to flog the Russian propaganda machine, 'rt'. As I said in reference to another of your recently created threads that relied upon linking to an 'rt' article... the same topic could easily be found in mainstream (independent) sources.
My comments reiterated in my previous post aren't available on any Western sources I know of offhand but I could try to search the archives of antiwar.com if that would please you more. However, it appears that most on this forum don't approve of that site either.
a most incredulous referendum itself! What's the probability of realizing a 97% 'yes' result in the face of the Crimean population including large Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar minorities that are overwhelmingly opposed to a return to Russian rule --- a so-called "free vote" in the intimidating presence of at least 21,000 Russian soldiers, who had invaded weeks prior to the vote - fer sure!
Well done for getting involved in the topic of conversation! I don't know of the particular 97% but I suspect it's an exaggeration coming from some Western source. The correct information suggests a referendum approaching 90% in favour of staying aligned with Russia. We can investigate that further if you care to but for now there's little doubt that the people chose correctly and avoided a Russian hostile takeover. Sad that Nato tried to push the issue and ended up with nothing. it's likely going to be the last serious attempt to encroach on Russia's borders.
Can you provide your source for the 97&?
"bridge too far"? Whatever that means... is referring to??? Your are so ominous/intimidating when you challenge others to "try", to "attempt"!
What on earth are you talking about with your ominous/intimidating/try to attempt?
A bridge too far is easily understood and I can't believe it would stump a clever guy like you!
Think of it this way: The Crimea could have remained neutral territory had the US not fomented violence in Ukraine with the intention of further encroachment on Russia's border. Russia had no choice but to secure their naval base, thereby excluding US interference.
Anyway, it's a done deal and it's never going to revert back to the way it was unless Ukraine decides on peaceful relations with Russia.
By the by, do you accept U.S. and European review/analysis stating Russia has meddled in other country elections? Care to comment on the deaths of journalists/politicians that oppose Putin? Or are my questions a... bridge too far?
Great question! It gets us into some long-needed truths on the 'Russia/Putin meddling' accusations.
Russia has meddled in US domestic affairs and likely as much as they possibly could without any direct provocations the US could claim. And of course, all countries with the capability do too. The US is the world's biggest meddler in the affairs of it's imagined enemies. If you wish to pursue that then let me know and I'll provide proof. And fwiw, China does too! China could actually surpass the US in the future in my opinion. So what? What's your point?
I highly suspect that Russia/Putin has a policy of assassinating their former spies that have been turned. But some examples of accusations are true and some are not true. I think an attempt to sort out the truths from the lies is far removed from the level of conversation we're having between us now. I only say that because your questions are mostly just givens.
The waldo needs to take into consideration all the wars of aggression started by the US since the end of WW2. About 40 of them which resulted in the slaughter of an estimated 30,000,000 innocents. (probably much more)
Wasn't the phony war against Iraq enough to get the waldo thinking seriously on what country had become the evil empire?