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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has set out demands for a neutral and federal Ukraine, ahead of crisis talks with his US counterpart in Paris. Sunday evening's meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry was hastily arranged after President Vladimir Putin phoned Barack Obama on Friday. Russia has annexed Crimea and there are reports of thousands of Russian troops massed close to Ukraine's borders. Mr Lavrov has categorically denied any plans for an invasion. But he has stressed Moscow will protect the rights of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers, after pro-EU protests in Kiev led to the ousting of Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych. He had faced months of protests after pulling out of an association deal with Brussels.
asen_y2k
The timing cannot be better, these talks will decide the future of Ukraine. If US agrees then I think Russia will back down. If not then an invasion is imminent.
asen_y2k
On a deeper thought, its actually very difficult for the US to agree to Russias demands. Yes it will avert an invasion but it will make the US appear weak. The Ukrainian gov is very dependant on the US, they will feel abandoned.
Any idea when the talks end?edit on 30/3/14 by asen_y2k because: (no reason given)
ColCurious
reply to post by rigel4
Here is a way for NATO to keep face and not escalate the situation any further.
Lets hope the #ers at the western side of the table take the deal before the EU sanctions us into 'Murica.
asen_y2k
On a deeper thought, its actually very difficult for the US to agree to Russias demands. Yes it will avert an invasion but it will make the US appear weak. The Ukrainian gov is very dependant on the US, they will feel abandoned.
Any idea when the talks end?edit on 30/3/14 by asen_y2k because: (no reason given)
asen_y2k
The timing cannot be better, these talks will decide the future of Ukraine. If US agrees then I think Russia will back down. If not then an invasion is imminent.
Xcathdra
Putin / Russia started this mess. They are the ones who need to deescalate, not the west.
ColCurious
reply to post by Xcathdra
Xcathdra
Putin / Russia started this mess. They are the ones who need to deescalate, not the west.
Unless one day down the road we learn that this entire crisis including Svoboda and the Right Sector was artificially incited, supported and guided from the outside, by western intelligence agencies via NGOs and dubious operations such as NATOs GLADIO.
I'm telling you once more, Xcathdra, I'm not taking sides here. Both parties have violated international law. None has the moral highground to point fingers.edit on 31-3-2014 by ColCurious because: (no reason given)