[MTVN]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

Where did the pro Russian separatists get their heavy armoury from? The local corner shop? If Russia hadn’t got involved this would not be happening now.

East Ukraine has a lot of pro Russian residents but that’s their choice. They don’t live in Russia and they don’t live in the Crimea; through choice they live in the Ukraine…a self-governing…none aligned country. (and btw I have never seen Crimea as part of the Ukraine).

When the Ukrainian government was toppled, it was toppled by its people…just like the storming of the Bastille it was a popular uprising. The large populous want more independence that what they currently have; the pro Russians want Russian law in a country that isn't Russia.

ED to say: Russia and pro Russians have no claim on the rest of the Ukraine (that includes the eastern border)

My thoughts on Crimea:
The Crimea hasn’t flourished under Ukrainian rule; in fact it’s a neglected and forgotten part of the Ukraine that isn’t allowed many of the same benefits. The Ukraine should of allowed a legitimate referendum (they had wanted this for years) and if the vote swung in favour of the Crimea reuniting with Russia, then that choice should have been given. Crimea is a country within a country, its an Autonomous Republic where the majority of Crimean’s are not Ukrainian and as such, have or at least should have the right to choose their future. Unfortunately, because less than 20% of Crimea is Tartar, these people will have to accept their loss.

A lot of armament factories from the Soviet era are based in eastern Ukraine, it was already a region littered with weapons. If the Ukrainian government was toppled by the 'people', it was the people of Kiev who don't represent the whole of the country, and it can't be denied either way that the toppling was done in quite shady circumstances.