Russia $#%^# Up

Russia has violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine by using force and overt threats. Russian troops now occupy Crimea, a southern region of the Ukraine, home to a large population of ethic Russians. The western world, which includes NATO (North American Treaty Organization) and the EU ( European Union) have denounced this territorial violation as unacceptable and a detriment to world peace.

The official Russian explanation is that Crimea is home to a population of mostly ethnic Russians (which is true) whom wish to join Russia and that Russian troops are only there to protect millions of ethnic Russians. Meanwhile the Russian military remains in control of civilian and government building in Crimea.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, says that Russian troops will only
remain in Crimea until the political stability of the Ukraine is stable. I believe that to be a lie.

The background of this conflict is obviously closely connected to the Ukraine Revolution which occurred when Viktor Yanukovych, refused to sign an agreement which would allow the Ukraine to join the EU. Now with the Revolution over and Yanukovych,
out of office the provisional Ukrainian Government wishes to join the EU.

I believe that Putin will attempt to absorb the rest of the Ukraine into Russia in order to prevent the Ukraine drifting from a Russian influenced nation into a EU influenced nation. Putin’s excursion in the name of protecting ethic Russians is nothing but a sham.

No Putin

In the wake of the protests and rebellions that have swept the world comes a new series of protest. It is a protest of freedom occurring in Moscow, Russia. Thousands of Russians have been standing outside in Russia bitter cold to protest the elections or lack of ones.

Protesters brave frigid weather in Moscow to participate in a mass anti-Putin demonstration.

Vladimir Putin the man we have all come to know and hate is well known for being the Russian Prime minister. In 2011 an exciting piece of news came out of Russia. Prime Minister Putin would be running in the 2012 “Democratic” Elections. A major problem with the elections is that Putin controls them, showing the rest of the world how far corruption runs in the Russian government.

Demonstrators brave bitter cold temperatures Saturday as they flood downtown Moscow during a massive protest demanding fairness for next month's presidential election.

Don’t get me wrong though Putin is not without his supporters. Amidst the cry of free elections and no Putin you also hear the very opposite. There are often clashes between the groups in the streets of Moscow. These protests often end with police breakups and arrests.

It remains to be seen whether Russia will emerge democratic or if Putin’s authoritarian government will take control.