As the events in Ukraine develop at an ever-quickening pace it is getting harder to keep up. US Secretary of State, John Kerry along with President Obama have begun issuing threats and condemnations of Russia’s “aggression” to protect its interests in the region but they fail to make mention that they had been poking the bully with a stick for quite some time.

On Friday, Obama said:

“We are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside Ukraine,” Obama said in brief comments at the White House. He added, “It would be a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine and of international laws.

“Any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine, Russia or Europe,” he said.

• source: USAToday

How much respect for national sovereignty did he have when he and his cronies in the EU and NATO spent $5 Billion to destabilize the previously democratically elected government of Ukraine?

As noted in a previous post: Ukraine: Connecting the Dots Through the Murkiness of the “Free” Press

from Dr. Paul Craig Roberts

The protests in the western Ukraine are organized by the CIA, the US State Department, and by Washington- and EU-financed Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that work in conjunction with the CIA and State Department. The purpose of the protests is to overturn the decision by the independent government of Ukraine not to join the EU.

The US and EU were initially cooperating in the effort to destroy the independence of Ukraine and make it a subservient entity to the EU government in Brussels. For the EU government, the goal is to expand the EU. For Washington the purposes are to make Ukraine available for looting by US banks and corporations and to bring Ukraine into NATO so that Washington can gain more military bases on Russia’s frontier.

The fact remains that there had been democratic elections in a sovereign nation. Regardless of how much corruption was present in Ukraine under President Yanukovich, there is no justification for outsiders meddling in their internal affairs. One doesn’t need to dig very deep to find the corruption in any government.

Same PlayBook Used With Syria

The western plan was to topple the sitting government who had agreed to economically tie itself to Russia rather than join the EU. Can you really blame Ukraine? Again, look at most members of the EU: ever burgeoning debt, austerity, high unemployment, etc…

After being unable to topple Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, Obama was ready to begin his assault on Syria based again on another fabricated chemical weapons charge but was unable to garner support from neither Congress nor allies in the British Parliament, not to mention Putin stepping in to back Syria. Coincidentally, that was also at a time when the Fed had announced that it would start to taper its QE program. hmmmmm? ( we’ll explore this in a subsequent post.)

The situations in both Syria and Ukraine have to do with countries strategically located and who’s natural resources trade outside of western central bank hegemony, hmmm?

Ukraine: Pro-West cabinet takes charge,
Washington promises aid

Ukraine’s new leaders on Thursday named a strongly pro-Western cabinet as the United States offered economic aid to the crisis-hit country, and warned Russia that military intervention would be a “grave mistake.”

The new cabinet is expected to win the confirmation bid easily after mass defection from Yanukovych’s ruling Regions Party put the chamber firmly in the opposition’s hands.

Several nominations were a clear sign that the protesters (western-backed) were taking charge.

• source: firstPost.com

Kerry Promises Ukraine $1 Billion Bailout

Having threatened Russia that “any military move would be a grave mistake” and sounding awefully like a “line” to be crossed, US Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters that the US is ready to bail out Ukraine…

• *KERRY: RUSSIA MILITARY MOVE ON UKRAINE WOULD BE GRAVE MISTAKE
• *KERRY SAYS U.S. PLANNING $1 BLN LOAN GUARANTEE FOR UKRAINE
• *KERRY SAYS U.S. WORKING WITH IMF, OTHERS ON AID TO UKRAINE

• source: zerohedge.com

One’s first reaction may be: Where’s he getting that $Billion. The US is broke. Seventeen approaching $18 Trillion debt. Oh, that’s right, at the last debt-ceiling debate Congress agreed not only to raise the debt-limit but to suspend it. That means there is no longer any limit to the amount that the US can borrow. So the Fed can just print more money out of thin air and lend it to the US at interest deepening the whole even more.

And how is it that borrowed money is so easily found for Ukraine, but not so much for:

• Detroit
• extended unemployment compensation
• military veterans benefits
• relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy, etc.

Sorry, I digress again, another tangent………

Real East-West Tensions Erupting in Ukraine

Pro-Russian protesters with Russian flags take part in a rally in central Donetsk March 1, 2014 (Reuters / Stringer)

Pro-Russian protesters raise a Russian flag in front of the regional administration building during a rally in the industrial Ukrainian city of Donetsk on March 1, 2014. (AFP Photo/Alexander Khudoteply)

Thousands rally against ‘illegitimate govt’, raise Russian flags in eastern Ukraine

Thousands of pro-Russian demonstrators across eastern Ukraine and Crimea are protesting against the new government, with administration buildings being seized in several cities.

Protesters in Kharkov and Donetsk stormed local government offices and removed Ukrainian flags, replacing them with the Russian tricolor on Saturday.

Between 7,000 to 10,000 demonstrators gathered in the center of Donetsk, a large industrial city in eastern Ukraine. Reportedly, protesters seized the regional administration building. While a group of demonstrators were storming the building from the central entrance, a crowd in Lenin Square in front of it kept chanting “Russia!”

In the Crimean capital of Simferopol, around 6,000 people marched, chanting “Russia!” and “No to Fascism!” and carrying a huge Russian flag.

Thousands were also demonstrating with Russian and Soviet flags in Odessa, the third-largest city in the country. According to police, around 5,000 people took part in the gathering, while organizers insist there were up to 20,000.

Protests were also held in Lugansk, Melitopol, Yevpatoria, Kerch and Mariupol.

Crimeans began protesting after the new self-proclaimed government in Kiev introduced a law abolishing the use of other languages for official documents in Ukraine. More than half the Crimean population are Russian and use only this language for their communication. The residents have announced they are going to hold a referendum on March 30 to determine the fate of the Ukrainian autonomous region.

• source: RT.com

Russia’s UN envoy: Radical forces destabilising Ukraine must be stopped

In the eastern part of Ukraine and Crimea in particular we have seen the emergence of people from Kiev with a clear intention of repeating what has been happening in the Western part of Ukraine, they want to replace regional governments,” Churkin said, adding that the Crimea authorities have asked Russia to provide assistance to ensure peace and order in the region.

Russia’s envoy pointed out that nationalist radical forces are widely represented in what remains of the formerly legitimate authorities in Kiev, and called on the UN Security Council members to influence those forces to refrain from the use of violence.

• source: RT.com

Ukraine Mobilizes Reserve Troops, Threatening War

A day after the Russian Parliament granted President Vladimir V. Putin broad authority to use military force in response to the political upheaval in Ukraine that dislodged a Kremlin ally and installed a new, staunchly pro-Western government, the Ukrainian government in Kiev threatened war if Russia sent troops further into Ukraine.

What began three months ago as a protest against the Ukrainian government has now turned into a big-power confrontation reminiscent of the Cold War and a significant challenge to international agreements on the sanctity of the borders of the post-Soviet nations.

• source: NYTimes.com

Sort out who’s boss in Kiev, Crimea takes care of itself – republic’s parliament speaker

Ukraine’s autonomous republic of Crimea wants Kiev to stay out of its business, and put its own house in order first, the Crimean parliament speaker has said, adding that local authorities can meanwhile take care of local business.

Facts you need to know about Crimea and why it is in turmoil

The speaker declined to identify armed men in uniforms without insignia, who had been guarding key locations in Crimea for several days. Kiev alleges these are units of the Russian military invading Ukraine.

Konstantinov said that Crimea was part of “the Russian world” and does not welcome NATO. He also stressed that despite this pro-Russian leaning, the people of Crimea don’t have problems with Ukrainians, but have problems with radical nationalists and neo-Nazis, who played a big role in ousting President Yanukovich.

The speaker said the Crimea needs self-governance by an inclusive government, which would take into consideration the interests of all its people, be they Ukrainians, Russians or Tatars.

• source: RT.com

Ukraine’s New Navy Head Denis Berezovsky Defects After Just One Day On The Post

Overnight, there had been numerous rumors that the newly appointed chief of the Ukraine navy, who was just made head of the navy on Saturday, had defected to the Crimean people explicitly, and to pro-Russian forced in the region implicitly. The sourcing of most were various Russian outlets so we discounted these until we got confirmation from a “western” source. The BBC did just that moments ago.

• source: zerohedge.com

US prepares tough response for Russia over Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — Western powers on Sunday prepared a tough response to Russia’s military advance into Ukraine and warned that Moscow could face economic penalties, diplomatic isolation and bolstered allied defenses in Europe unless it retreats.

The crisis may prove to be a game-changer for President Barack Obama’s national security policy, forcing him to give up his foreign policy shift to Asia and to maintain U.S. troop levels in Europe to limit Russia’s reach.

The ill will and mistrust also could spill over on two other global security fronts – Syria and Iran – where Russia has been a necessary partner with the West.

• source: USnews.com/AP.org

Kerry Threatens Sanctions Against Russia

The United States brandished the threat of economic sanctions on Russia on Sunday, with Secretary of State John Kerry calling Moscow’s moves on Ukraine an “incredible act of aggression.”

As Washington’s already strained relations with Moscow deteriorated further, Kerry was scathing in his condemnation and said the United States has “all options on the table” including a military response.

Ignoring warnings from President Barack Obama and other Western leaders, President Vladimir Putin won permission from his parliament on Saturday to use military force. The stated purpose was to protect Russian citizens in Ukraine following the ouster of the country’s Russian-backed president a week ago.

Russian forces have already bloodlessly seized Crimea – an isolated Black Sea peninsula with a majority of Russian speakers and where Moscow has a naval base.

• source: newsMax.com

Seriously, what? Kerry tells Russia ‘you don’t invade a country on completely phony pretexts’

The US Secretary of State spoke today of the unacceptability of invading a sovereign country on phony pretexts in order to assert one’s own interests in the 21st century. But no, he was not speaking about the United States, as one might have thought.

“Since when does the United States government genuinely subscribe and defend the concept of sovereignty and territorial integrity? They certainly are not doing that at the moment in Syria,” Marcus Papadopoulos, commentator for ‘Politics First’ told RT. “They certainly did not do that when they attacked Libya. They certainly didn’t do that when they invaded Iraq. They certainly didn’t do that when they attacked Serbia over Kosovo and then later on recognized Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence. The United States government merely pays lip service to sovereignty and territorial integrity, it picks and choses.”

• source: RT.com

Russia Warns Kerry’s “Threats Are Unacceptable” As Europe Weighs Sanctions

Russia has lashed out following comments from US Secretary of State John Kerry:

• RUSSIA SAYS KERRY THREATS ARE `UNACCEPTABLE’
• RUSSIA SAYS KERRY ISN’T ANALYSING SITUATION IN UKRAINE
• KERRY IS USING COLD WAR SLOGANS, RUSSIA FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS

• source: zerohedge.com

Russia And China ‘In Agreement’ Over Ukraine

Russia has said China is largely “in agreement” over Ukraine, after other world powers condemned Moscow for sending troops into the country.

Hundreds of Russian soldiers have surrounded a military base in Crimea, preventing Ukrainian soldiers from going in or out.

Russian troops are also reported to have taken control of a ferry terminal in the city of Kerch on the eastern tip of Crimea, which has a majority Russian-speaking population.

And reports claimed pro-Russian protesters had occupied a floor of the regional government building in Donetsk. The 11-story building has been flying the Russian flag for the last three days.

• source: skyNews.com

US Official Claims 6,000 Russian Troops In Complete Control Of Crimea – Crisis Map Update

While the images and local news have been suggesting that Russia is in control on the Crimean peninsula, US officials (according to Bloomberg) have confirmed this:

• RUSSIAN FORCES IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF CRIMEA: U.S. OFFICIAL
• RUSSIA HAS 6,000 TROOPS IN CRIMEA, U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS
• KERRY TO REAFFIRM SUPPORT FOR UKRANIAN SOVEREIGNITY, PSAKI SAYS

Obama, Merkel, and Cameron are now on a conference call to discuss this “fact” and officials have just reported that US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Kiev tomorrow.

• U.S. IS FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC OPTIONS ON UKRAINE, NOT ON ANY POSSIBLE U.S. MILITARY INTERVENTION, U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS
• U.S. CONSIDERING SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN BANKS, OFFICIAL SAYS

And Again, As noted in a previous post: Ukraine: Connecting the Dots Through the Murkiness of the “Free” Press – the Trump-Card could be shutting off the flow of Natural Gas into Europe from Russia through Ukraine.

The “Ukraine Situation” Explained In One Map

Sadly, everything you need to know about the crisis in Ukraine in one worrisome map which summarizes all the relevant “red lines.”

Interview 830 – William Engdahl Exposes the Western Agenda in Ukraine

In this wide-ranging interview, author and geopolitical analyst William Engdahl of WilliamEngdahl.com breaks down the history and context of the geopolitical machinations in Ukraine. We talk about the US/NATO encirclement of Russia and the evidence of western intervention in the ongoing Ukrainian crisis. We also discuss the breakdown of the Saudi-US relationship and the destabilization of the Middle East, as well as China’s increasing geopolitical influence around the globe.

SHOW NOTES:

WilliamEngdahl.com

US, EU meddling in Ukraine battle

“F**k The EU” – US State Department Blasts Europe; Revealed As Alleged Mastermind Behind Ukraine Unrest

What You Should Know About the Ukraine-Style Anti-Government Protests in Venezuela

US missile shield: ‘Russian Bear sleeping with one eye open’

Saudi Arabia – 9/11 Connection With Senator Bob Graham

9/11 Families ‘Ecstatic’ They Can Finally Sue Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Rejects U.N. Security Council Seat in Protest Move

China is Now the World’s Largest Importer of Oil—What Next?

• source: theCorbettReport.com

World heading towards biggest crisis since 1962 missile scare: James Petras

Professor James Petras, who has written several books on the Latin America and Middle East, made the remarks in a telephone interview with Press TV on Sunday, commenting on the news that the US has stepped up its intelligence and surveillance operations against Russia in order to get “inside the Russian decision making cycle” regarding the crisis in Ukraine.

The US and Russia are on a collision course over the restive Ukrainian region.

“I think it’s very clear that Washington organized and supported a coup [in Ukraine] backed by extreme rightwing forces, which were prepared how the country eliminates the rights of the Russian minority, a close 40 percent of the population, and expel the Russians from their base in Sevastopol,” Petras said.

“I think, they [the Russians] had no choice. The provocative US policy, the brinkmanship threatening a worldwide confrontation, the Russians cannot tolerate being cut out of the Black Sea, the whole Mediterranean, and exercises and the presence of Russia. This is not going to be,” Petras stated.

“Obama has finally broken the string of any possibility of reaching a peaceful coexistence with Russia. A very serious adventurous policy, he got away with it in Libya, he got away with it in Syria, manipulating the overthrow of the government in Egypt, giving Israel a free hand in conquering Palestine.”

Now “Obama is lighting the fire across the globe in an extraordinarily adventurous and reckless way,” he concluded.

• source: pressTV.com

And one more perspective from counterpunch.org

The Coup in Ukraine

Obama’s Dumbest Plan Yet

by MIKE WHITNEY

“Washington and Brussels … used a Nazi coup, carried out by insurgents, terrorists and politicians of Euromaidan to serve the geopolitical interests of the West.”

– Natalia Vitrenko, The Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine

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