generalspeaking

That Elusive Winning Formula

"All the signs show that Kyiv can't -- or maybe doesn't want to -- control the extremists who continue to call the shots."
"Steps are being taken, above all by those who seized power in Kyiv which crudely violate the accords reached in Geneva."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

"I see this as a creeping destabilization. I'm not sure it's a civil war yet, but the preconditions for a civil war are there."
Angela Stent, director, Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, Georgetown University, Washington

Soldiers from the first company-sized contingent of about 150 US paratroopers from the US Army's 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based in Italy walk after unpacking as they arrive to participate in training exercises with the Polish army in Swidwin, northernwest Poland, April 23. Kacper Pempel/Reuters

Mr. Lavrov has called on the United States to set aside pointless threats of sanctions, while brushing off inaccurate and slanderous accusations that Russian forces were involved in attacks in Ukraine. Russia, in fact, was increasingly receiving desperate requests for intervention in eastern Ukraine for ethnic Russians and Russian speakers fearful of recent events and who require protection from Russia against the fascist elements in Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, on his part, urged Mr. Lavrov to take steps to see that Moscow restrains pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine. Photographs now on social media along with other sites are rife with demonstrations of proof that Russia has sent its military into eastern Ukraine. The "concerned citizens" of whom Mr. Lavrov speaks wishing greater autonomy are uniformed and carrying similar RPG-30 rocket launchers issued to Russian army troops.

How convenient for pro-Russian protesters to be provisioned so generously by some unknown source. These are the same people urging and inciting the separatists to stick to their guns, refusing to surrender their hold on government buildings across the Donetsk region in defiance of the Geneva agreement meant to compel them to leave.

Irma Krat, a Ukrainian journalist who was a founding member of the only all-female unit of the "self-defence" forces during the revolution was arrested by gunmen controlling Slavyansk, accused of "war crimes". "I was arrested for allegedly opposing the referendum" she said blindfolded before a camera. "But this is speculation. I came to Slavyansk to tell the impartial truth."

She was taken into custody while reporting on the shootings in Slavyansk. And those who 'arrested' her accused her of attacking policemen during the revolt that overthrew President Yanukovych. Vyachelsav Ponomarev the new "people's mayor" of Slavyansk claimed his men were holding eight prisoners on suspicion of spying for Pravy Sektor, issuing a warning to all foreign journalists that they must report the 'truth'.

The legitimate mayor of Slavyansk, Nelya Shtepa, somehow disappeared, an abduction by the man who took her job. Ukraine's acting president ordered his security forces to resume "anti-terror" operations in the wake of the discovery of two bodies abducted by the insurgents and after a military aircraft was hit by gunfire. Oleksandr Turchynov stated the bodies found in Slavyansk showed signs of torture. One, a member of city council the other a member of Mr. Turchynov's party.

Terrorists, he said, "Are beginning to torture and kill Ukrainian patriots. They are impudently rejecting the calls of not only our country but of all the world's society when they demonstratively mock the decisions taken in Geneva." In the midst of all this turmoil and bitter conflict, are the majority of people living in the area, anxious and fearful, leading their daily lives with caution.

"We're tired. We need only one thing: peace and quiet. It's not important who guarantees it, Moscow or Kyiv", said one citizen wearily. As central authorities charged troops and military vehicles to retake the buildings and key facilities in the east, Nelya Shtepa spoke of the "occupation" by the insurgents, prepared to resume her position as rightfully elected mayor of Slavyansk.

• In this Saturday, April 12, 2014 photo, Nelya Shtepa the mayor of SLovyansk walks outside a police station in the eastern Ukraine town of Slovyansk. Shtepa’s fate highlights the anger, confusion and lawlessness that have gripped eastern Ukraine over the past week and a half as insurgents opposed to the country’s interim government seized police stations and government buildings. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
   

Labels: Conflict, Russia, Security, Social Dysfunction, Threats, Ukraine

posted by Pieface @ Thursday, April 24, 2014