Patty

Gee who didn't see this coming. This being one of Putins demands to pull back forces from the border didn't take long after Putin did pull forces back for the US backed NATO to break their end of the deal. No wonder the rest of the world doesn't believe a word this admin says.

"Kiev (AFP) – Ukraine’s parliament on Tuesday approved a series of joint military exercises with NATO countries that would put US troops in direct proximity to Russian forces in the annexed Crimea peninsula.

"This is a good opportunity to develop our armed forces," acting defence minister Mykhailo Koval told Verkhovna Rada lawmakers ahead of the 235-0 v**e.

The decision came as NATO foreign ministers gathered in Brussels for a two-day meeting dominated by concern over the recent buildup of Russian forces near Crimea that US officials estimate had at one point reached about 40,000 troops.

NATO has sought to reinforce its eastern frontier after Russia’s takeover of Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula and amid concerns about Kremlin’s emboldened foreign policy.

Russia on Monday reported pulling back a battalion of about 500 to 700 soldiers from the border region in a move that German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called "a small sign that the situation is becoming less tense".

Ukraine is not a NATO member and its new Western-backed leaders have vowed not to push for closer relations with the Brussels-based military alliance — a bloc that has been viewed with deep mistrust by Moscow since the Cold War."

Brian Devon

Patty,

For the Ukraine, the U.S., and Nato to bait the Russian bear, reminds me of Siegfried and Roy playing with their Siberian tigers. It was a very profitable successful Las Vegas act......until it wasn't.

Patty

Good analogy. I have no illusions about Putin being a bad guy but at least he cares about his country and the people. Im actually a bit jealous to be honest with you.

Patty

Well the bank sanctions have now been cut because Obamas boss Jamie Dimon didn't want Russia raiding their Russian offices and exposing all their illegal action in Russia. Then Obama declared we would have nothing to do with Russia and decided that the men in the space station were a small price to pay for him to continue his tantrum. Thanks God Putin laughed it off for what it was and didn't take it serious by letting NASA know that they would not strand any astronauts.
You have to wonder what next completely silly sanction Obama has planned for Russia. Perhaps he will decree the closing of the McDonald's on Pushkin square or that he is very upset and every one must only use the silly walk.

jonhatfield Loc: Green Bay, WI

Gee, EU and US and Ukraine (235-0 v**e) countered your strongman neo-f*****t hero Putin's military build-up. What does that scenario do for your Putin patty-patty caking, Pats? Putin gets Crimea...the free world gets Ukraine. Moreover, now all former Czar empire countries to Putin's south also look to EU and America against possible Putin meddling and interference.

Your strongman Putin has gone putt putt puttt and all your patty-patty-caking propaganda cheering him and denigrating America is equally putt putt puttt. Wowzers, Pats, but you still do the Patty-cake twist for Putt in each new development. How's your pal, Paul Craiz Roberts, holding up as the situation he's put his rep behind putts out?

Patty

If you are going to follow me around you will have to behave so as not to get yourself another 2 week time out sweetie. I only reprimand you for your own good.

Brian Devon

I think Jon is still on Kiev's payroll...even after being given a time-out.

jonhatfield Loc: Green Bay, WI

You've bought into the conspiracy crap scenario, Brian? :P :P

saveamerica Loc: Texas

We already have 5,000 troops on the ground and about 10,000 on the way.

UncleJesse Loc: Hazzard Co, GA

The agreement was between Putin and the German Chancellor. What NATO and Kiev agree to is a completely different matter.

It is a simple glaring message: Putin has to arbitrate with the demands of multiple parties not just Obama or Merkel but Obama, Merkel, Stoltenberg, Tillerson, van Beurden, the entire Ukraine Parliament, etc.

Patty

The move by NATO to extend the alliance to the Russian border is a controversial one that violates the spirit, if not the letter, of a February 1990 agreement between then Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, and Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany.

The issue at the time was Germany and NATO. Under the treaty ending World War II, the Soviets had a right to keep troops in Eastern Germany. The U.S. and the Germans were trying to negotiate a reunion of the two Germanys that would remove the 380,000 Soviet troops in the East, while maintaining U.S. and NATO forces in the West.

The Russians were willing to exit their troops, but only if U.S. and NATO forces did not fill the vacuum. On Feb. 9, Gorbachev told Baker “any extension of the zone of NATO would be unacceptable.” Baker assured him that “NATO’s jurisdiction would not shift one inch eastward.”

The Baker-Gorbachev meeting was followed the next day by a meeting between Gorbachev and West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who assured the Soviet leader that “naturally NATO could not expand its territory” into East Germany. And, in a parallel meeting between West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze, Genscher told Shevardnadze “for us, it stands firm: NATO will not expand to the East.”

UncleJesse Loc: Hazzard Co, GA

...and Nikita Khrushchev t***sferred Crimea to Ukrainian control in 1954. So as things change for Russia, so too do things change for NATO. Sometimes, it changes faster than you can say 90-60-90.

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

How can our corporate controlled media continue to paint Putin as the bad guy? We can't seen to allow the situation in the Ukraine to deescalate. I am sure if Russian decided to have joint military exercises with Mexico the outrage in Washington would be fierce.

We have proved Putin's point. We are land grabbers. We can't be trusted. Our word is useless. I hope the i***ts in Washington realize the world is watching esp. China.

Brian Devon

So I presume you won't be attending the festivities on "Mushroom Cloud Appreciation Day"??? What's a little radiation exchange between friends??? Sounds like you're not a true patriot. Just more Kumbayah-Jesus-was-a pacifist drivel.

Patty

Yes you are so right. They are already starting their red line threats with China yesterday.
http://news.yahoo.com/u-warns-china-not-attempt-crimea-style-action-035824391.html;_ylt=A0LEVzPJyD5TZFYAEphXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB0MnRoNXFhBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1NNRTM0Nl8x

I think everyone should be required to read "The Untold History of the US" so they know the real history behind the Phillipines, Hawaii, Guam, South and Central America. Lord the list goes on and on. Look what they just got caught doing in Cuba with the f**e Twitter creation. Yet you still have the blind f**g wavers like jonniehatfield that will excuse their every move to keep getting that monthly guberment check.