Almost 10 years ago Vladimir Putin came to Ukraine. Then on Ukrainian television, he campaigned for the government candidate - Viktor Yanukovich. Former intelligence bet on double sitting felon. Russian media, significant sums political strategists, even Orthodox priests were thrown out to bring him to power. However, the Ukrainian people took to the streets peacefully protesting against the rigged elections. Then we all thought that the Orange Revolution triumphed and Ukraine had a good vaccination against tyranny.
Several years passed, and Yanukovych , using , strife between Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko , still came in the corridors of power . Step by step, he firmly advancing steadily on the rights and liberties of Ukrainians , stifled free press , tearing apart the opposition faction in parliament. His son, in a short time , became a billionaire , and journalists excitedly wrote about the shadow corruption schemes related to the son of the head of state. Behind their backs Yanukovych , rubbing his hands with satisfaction , stood Putin . Ukraine gradually transformed into Belarus, further and further moving away from the civilized world toward Asian dictatorship.
Almighty Putin*s plans confused by ordinary students who came to Kiev*s main square * Maidan* in November last year . Yanukovych , enticed cash loans from Moscow , just refused to sign the document on the EU-Ukraine Association . Logic dictator understandable, because Europeans demanded to release opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, fair elections and radical reforms . Russia also gave money and instead asked only to lay his knees . Rebellious youth like animals dispersed special squad "Berkut" . Only Yanukovych , like Putin , greatly miscalculated. Ukrainian people refused to cave . Less than a day after the massacre , on Independence gathered hundreds of thousands of people.
Day after day, people's resistance was growing stronger . Police catch activists ridiculed them , scurrying around Kiev authorities hired criminals who kidnap leaders protesters. And the people became more and more in the capital of their supporters came from all regions . In the 20- degree frost protesters poured water from a point blank shot machines , they were beated upc,snipers fired on them. Increased the number of deaths , which exceeded one hundred . However, the Ukrainian people was held , and he proved that no one can break his desire for freedom. Yanukovych in a hurry fled from his palace , leaving adrift huge amount of jewelry , vintage cars and other luxury items . He flew to Russia , and from the traitor refused even members of his party , formerly zealously supporting it .
Putin realized that he may lose Ukraine forever. Strong, rich state, where people are not jailed from - for a poster in his hand, and next side to Russia, this is a nightmare for the master of the Kremlin. Indeed, in this case Russian can begin to ask questions, be interested in: "And why Ukrainians, without oil and gas, live better than us?". Naturally it is an ordinary revenge people who mistook him twice in a row all the cards.
Then he decided to implement the Georgian scenario , which has nurtured since in 2008 said he did not consider Ukraine as an independent state and a part of its territory must move federation. After Yanukovych *s fleeing the country came to power vacuum , and Putin took advantage of this . Announcing the new government by the Nazis and fascists , he gave the nod to the elimination of the Ukrainian state. Across the border en masse pulled Russian provocateurs, employees of special services. In the south- eastern regions they incited people to mass rallies , seized government offices and collect, developed into a scuffle with the police and Ukrainian patriots . Dozens of people were seriously injured during the provocations from the hands of these criminals and mercenaries , began to cooperate with russians . Moscow set a clear goal - to create the right image for the Russian TV to show the chaos going on in Ukraine, where allegedly infringed russian -speaking population . This would must to serve as a pretext for Russian troops in the continental part of the country.
The main performance was played on the Crimean demi-island. Capturing crossing the demi-island, Russia sent back tens of thousands of his soldiers. They , without insignia , hiding faces behind masks , seized the parliament of the autonomous republic , the airport and started blocking Ukrainian military bases. At gunpoint local MPs re-elected leadership of Crimea , putting people friendly to the Kremlin . On the Ukrainian soldiers and officers pressured by blackmailing their families stationed outside units. During the seizure of objects or Ukrainian ships, allowed the Russians ahead civilians and themselves were behind. In that situation, the Ukrainians could not open fire on the invaders.
In a matter of days was held a "referendum" on the entry of the demi-island in the Russian Federation. At the same laws were broken Ukraine flouted international law , not at the event attended by international observers and journalists . Ethnic Ukrainians , as well as the indigenous inhabitants of this land - the Tatars , in their majority , "referendum" was ignored. No civilized country in the world has not recognized the annexation . Hundreds of families were pulled from the demi-island to Ukraine to escape the invaders who came "to protect their from the Nazis ."
By these actions, Putin achieves to devide Ukraine into several parts, and the creation of its fragments several puppet states . He wants to move its military bases and airfields closer to the western borders . It requires control over the gas pipe and the store located in Ukraine. Russian president seeks to embroil the EU with the United States , as well as to drive a wedge between the new and old members of the European Union . He wants to get right to resolve all disputes by force , despite the international community's response . And show everyone what will happen to those who decided to go against his will.
These developments threaten the world a new nuclear arms race . Because now no state can be sure of their safety . The annexation of the Crimea undermines the foundations of international relations , because all treaties and alliances are meaningless once they may at any moment break the aggressor without substantial damage to themselves . Russia has already started talking about the "problem" of the russian-speaking population in Estonia . This is a direct allusion to the fact that this country , a NATO member , may feel the full power of the Russian army. In this case smells a third world war . In case of further military action in Ukraine , it is potentially a humanitarian catastrophe in central Europe, with millions of refugees , and thousands dead . Possible appearance on the borders of the EU , the so-called twilight zone , where it will thrive drug and human trafficking , and weapons. All this will also strengthen the European economy dependence on Russian energy. The situation in Ukraine , sooner or later , directly or indirectly affect every corner of Europe.
Ukrainians are ready to defend their independence with weapone in hands, we were bored of corruption and incompetence of the leadership . However, without the help of our western friends will make it very difficult. Our country need :
- Any help in the defense sector , ranging from information to the technology .
- Termination of cooperation with Russia in the military sphere .
- Economic sanctions directed to the company's Russian oligarchs associated with Putin. Investigation into the activities of these companies in the EU .
- Freezing of assets of Russian oligarchs in Europe.
- Significant expansion of the list of Russian politicians, officials and businessmen , who are forbidden to visit Europe .
- Joint actions with Ukraine in the field of energy to reduce dependence on Russian gas.
Ukraine, at the moment - an outpost of democracy on the eastern borders of the civilized world . And its fall will mean the collapse of hopes for a strong and free Europe . However , France and Germany are still hesitating , hoping to pacify the aggressor through diplomatic channels. Apparently, the leaders of these countries have forgotten how Western countries tried to pacify Hitler , when he took away the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia . That's when Winston Churchill spoke these words: "You wanted the world price of shame - and now will take and shame ,and war." We - the Ukrainians have made your choice , it is up to Europe.
Ivan Sirko, photo by bilwander