UKRAINE – RUSSIA TENSION

UKRAINE – RUSSIA TENSION

Russian president has calmed fears on an imminent war between Russia and Ukraine and Moscow has no intention of loosening its new grip on Crimea in defiance of Western anger.

The standoff between Moscow and the new-pro-West leadership had prompted apocalyptic fears of Russian tanks rolling across Ukraine’s eastern borders in a conflict that could draw in NATO.  

As Russian president commented that Russia would not give up its newly acquired control over Crimea, a region with a majority Russia speaking population.

The Russian president made clear that they will not be a extensive war – least such a radical scenario has been set aside. But he will not leave Crimea and he is going to preserve real control there.

Russian president also denied that Russian troops were already in Crimea and said that it was local self defence forces who were in control of the Black Sea peninsula.

Russian president also eyeing the situation in the largely Russian speaking east of Ukraine but that region would prove a far bigger and more dangerous mouthful for the Kremlin.

Mr. Putin a week ago was soaking up praise for Russia’s smooth organization of the Sochi Olympics but showed remarkable little concern about the international repercussions, shrugging off Western threats not to show up to the G8 summit Russia is due to host in Sochi.

At last the reaction of the West is currently weak, it does not bother him. He is not worried by the declarations and sanctions of the United States.

If Ukraine has decided to leave the Russian embrace, then Mr. Putin is going to want to keep a piece of Ukraine as a souvenir at least Crimea or maybe the east.