Russian troops moving in to key installations in the Crimea.

Who's got thoughts on how this jolly old rumble is going to play out then?

The Rusians have one objective and that is to guarantee access to "their" warm water bases. The Americans are stirring up as much trouble as they can, while pissing themselves with delight. TBH apart from the Crimea, the whole country is flat, ugly and cold. Now where does that remind you of someplace?

Russia is using Crimea and all the Russian 'citizens' that it needs to 'protect' as a way of provoking the interim Ukrainian govt.

The EU/USA/NATO will go to the UN Security Council where they will be hit with a Russian Veto before anyone has even opened their mouth to discuss the goings on.

Of course Ukraine could always rely on the US trying to scare the Russians away with a show of force in the Black Sea.. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/soc...ack-sea-n32991

I think it has more to do with Moscow keeping its influence in the Ukraine as it realises that many in the Ukraine are looking West not East for the direction of their country.

Well with Crimea is has a lot to do with the fact that it is not only a Russian majority region, but it is also home the to Russian Black Sea Fleet. I read on the BBC that terms of the lease allow for Russia to base 388 warships, 161 aircraft and 25,000+ personnel. So it is a major base for the Russians.

Of course Russia wants to keep it's influence over Ukraine, but the worrying thing is that there are sizable (and in some areas a majority) support groups for Russia and Russian interference, especially in the South and East

Hmm... I think its gonna be the usual , US makes a big stink but won't to sh*t about it (and this is one of the cases where it should do something, as Ukraine wants to westernize and eventually join the EU, and Russian interference won't help)

Maybe if Russia were invading Israel they'd care more

What does that mean in this context?

Norwich ?

The original question was "How do you think this will play out?" and I answered... I think the US would respond immediately if Russia were to, say, invade Israel. But thats another topic.

What I find totally ridiculous about the whole situation is that the UK is talking about making a loan to Ukraine to stabilize their finances.

The UK, a country planning to have a referendum on leaving the EU. Ukraine, a country on the verge of civil war because it wants to join the EU.

Possibly one of the biggest ironies of all time.

Yanokovich as far as I can tell made a totally reasonable decision, country nearly bankrupt, Russia offers a $15 billion loan. EU offers nothing comparable. Not much of a choice really, is it?

The EU could have avoided this whole situation by dealing with it better from the outset, I agree with the State Dept.

Canada Besides southern B.C, the whole country is flat, ugly and cold

a reasonable decision? one of the reasons for the country going bankrupt is the corruption that is rife within the govt. Did you see the paperwork his people tried to destroy in the water at Yanokovich's country residence??

Ukraine wasn't about to join the EU, it is many many years away from that. But a treaty which would have opened up it's economy to the European market rather than rely Russian aid would have been a much better option. Especially as Russia already holds Ukraine to ransom with their natural gas supply.

The west needs to grow some balls on this issue and make a stand against Russia, rather than speak rhetoric and do naff all. I am sure China is watching to see how the west reacts with great interest.

Couldnt've said it better myself

Just like the world did when they watched GW waltz into Iraq ?

Thing is, Russia also holds Germany and Western Europe by the balls on the gassy stuff. The pipeline only goes through Ukraine.