Putin: Crimea similar to Kosovo, West is rewriting its own rule book

[24KT]

Putin: Crimea similar to Kosovo, West is rewriting its own rule book

Published time: March 18, 2014 11:08
Edited time: March 18, 2014 21:29

Crimea’s secession from Ukraine was just like Kosovo’s secession from Serbia, and any arguments otherwise are just attempts to bend the West-advocated rules that were applied to the Kosovo case, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

The statements came as Putin was addressing the Russian parliament to convince lawmakers to ratify a treaty, which would make Crimea part of the Russian Federation.

In the speech he challenged Washington’s position, which says that Kosovo was a unique case and could not justify any other move towards independence in the world.

“Our western partners created the Kosovo precedent with their own hands. In a situation absolutely the same as the one in Crimea they recognized Kosovo’s secession from Serbia legitimate while arguing that no permission from a country’s central authority for a unilateral declaration of independence is necessary,” Putin reminded, adding that the UN International Court of Justice agreed to those arguments.

“That’s what they wrote, that what they trumpeted all over the world, coerced everyone into it – and now they are complaining. Why is that?” he asked.

Putin dismissed the argument that Kosovo was unique due to the large number of victims during the Balkan wars and the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

“It’s beyond double standards,” Putin said. “It’s a kind of baffling, primitive and blatant cynicism. One can’t just twist things to fit his interests, to call something white on one day and black on the next one.”

The president dismissed the allegations that Russia is violating international law with its actions in Ukraine.

“Well’ it’s good that they at least recalled that there is international law. Thank you very much. Better late than never,” Putin said adding that in fact nothing of this kind happened.

Watch President Putin's speech in full

‘In Ukraine the West crossed the red line’

In fact, it was Russia that defended international law and its institutions, while western countries have been diminishing them. The situation in Crimea is just a reflection of this broader process, which has been happening for decades now.

“In the practical application of policies, our western partners – the United States first and foremost – prefer to be guided not by international law, but by the right of strength. They believe in their exceptionalism, that they are allowed to decide on the fate of the world, that they are always right,” Putin charged.

This disregard to rule of law was evident in Yugoslavia in 1999, when NATO bombed the country without a UN Security Council mandate, the Russian president said. There was Afghanistan, Iraq and the perversion of the UNSC resolution on Libya, when instead of imposing a no-fly zone NATO bombed the country into submission.

There were also orchestrated “colored revolutions” in Europe and the Arab World, which cynically used the feelings of people tired with corruption and poverty. The latest Ukrainian events are just the latest of such actions, and Russia’s willingness to seek dialogue and compromise was stonewalled again, Putin said.

“They were cheating us once more, took decisions behind our back, presented us with a fait accompli,” he said, adding that the patter is identical to that which accompanied NATO’s expansion to the east, the deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system, visa restrictions and numerous other issues.

“They are constantly trying to corner us in retaliation for our having an independent position, for defending it, for calling things by their names and not being hypocritical,” Putin accused. “Everything has its limits, and in Ukraine our western partners crossed the red line. They acted brutally, irresponsibly and unprofessionally.”

Putin said the West must stop being hysterical, restrain from the Cold War rhetoric and admit the obvious: “Russia is an independent and active participant of international relations. Just like any nation it has national interests that must be taken into consideration and respected.”

As for the Ukrainian red line, the coup-imposed authorities in Kiev voiced their desire to join NATO, and such a move would pose an imminent threat to Russia, Putin said.

“We stand against having a military organization meddling in our backyard, next to our homeland or in the territories that are historically ours. I just cannot imagine visiting NATO sailors in Sevastopol,” he stressed. “Most of them are fine lads, by the way. But rather let them visit us in Sevastopol than the other way around.”

At the end of his speech, Putin announced the submission to parliament of a draft federal law which would incorporate Crimea and the City of Sevastopol into Russian territory, as well as a request to ratify an international treaty with the government of Crimea to make this happen. He said he was sure of the legislature’s support for both documents.

[Shockwave]

Ive had some insider info from some peoole close to crimean family that shows were all way off base... that the crimean citizens were 'soft' invaddd by russia and bullied/threatened/forced into making a show of voting and wanting to join Russia, but that its all phoney.


Completely changed my view on the situation.  Rather than jumping kn every propoganda piece maybe you should look more into what the actual crimeans are feeling?

[Irongrip400]

I guess we won't ever know for sure, but it just seems the West is more pissed with Putin not going our way than of the absorption of a sovereign nation.

[24KT]

I guess we won't ever know for sure, but it just seems the West is more pissed with Putin not going our way than of the absorption of a sovereign nation.

Check you PMs Irongrip

[James]

When did Kosovo become part of the United States?  

Once again Putin is full of it as usual, as what he has done in Ukraine is nothing like Kosovo, but it is like what Hitler did in 1939 by taking Austria in a land grab.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/history-repeating-putin-annexes-crimea-76-years-to-the-week-after-hitler-annexed-austria/

[Mr.1derful]

When did Kosovo become part of the United States?  

Once again Putin is full of it as usual, as what he has done in Ukraine is nothing like Kosovo, but it is like what Hitler did in 1939 by taking Austria in a land grab.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/history-repeating-putin-annexes-crimea-76-years-to-the-week-after-hitler-annexed-austria/

Putin did nothing.  He left it to the people of Crimea to decide, which they did in resounding fashion.  They made the choice, not Putin.  None of this would have even happened if not for the violent coup sponsored by the U.S.  to overthrow the elected Ukrainian Government.

[Shockwave]

Putin did nothing.  He left it to the people of Crimea to decide, which they did in resounding fashion.  They made the choice, not Putin.  None of this would have even happened if not for the violent coup sponsored by the U.S.  to overthrow the elected Ukrainian Government.

Thats what I believed as well, only to find out he bullied, threatened, and used forced to convince the Crimeans into giving themselves to Russia. Like, if you vote against this, you will not have homes. And that there wasnt an option on the ballot to remain part of the Ukraine.

I was 100% in support of the citizens, and I still think the US isn't necessarily in the right.. but it's not what it seems.

[Mr.1derful]

Thats what I believed as well, only to find out he bullied, threatened, and used forced to convince the Crimeans into giving themselves to Russia. Like, if you vote against this, you will not have homes. And that there wasnt an option on the ballot to remain part of the Ukraine.

I was 100% in support of the citizens, and I still think the US isn't necessarily in the right.. but it's not what it seems.

Not that I take things at face value, but there's a whole lot of them that are really good actors then, as the footage shows the masses of them appearing pretty happy.  Regardless, the U.S started this mess and Russia is only protecting its interests.  This would not have happened otherwise.

[24KT]

As a citizen who lives in a country that has had to endure numerous referendums on secession, I don't ever once recall having a vote or say whether Québec remained a part of Confederation. It was completely up to the Québécois. In fact the last time, I remember Prime Minister Chrétien being so desperate, he started taking cues from Louis Farrakhan's "Million Mam March" and organized a huge rally in Québec to be attended by Canadians from all over the rest of Canada to persuade the Québécois that they were loved & respected, and that we wanted them to stay in Canada. "My Canada Includes Québec!" Anyone remember that one?

Hey Mr1derful did you get to vote in that last referendum? What about any of the other Canadians on the board?

I think aside from the geo-political implications, perhaps Washington is nervous about any talk of secession.

There have been quite a few states that have started the ball rolling with regards to seceding from the USA.
It's my personal opinion that the reason we haven't heard more about it is because they're all so darned broke and need all the money being doled out, ...but in the background, they're dotting all their i's, crossing all their t's. They're already locked & loaded and fully prepared to pull the trigger. Wouldn't want to encourage Rick Perry or Todd Palin would we, ...although I doubt we will hear much secession talk out of Perry until he knows for sure he's not taking a run for the White House.

[Mr.1derful]

As a citizen who lives in a country that has had to endure numerous referendums on secession, I don't ever once recall having a vote or say whether Québec remained a part of Confederation. It was completely up to the Québécois. In fact the last time, I remember Prime Minister Chrétien being so desperate, he started taking cues from Louis Farrakhan's "Million Mam March" and organized a huge rally in Québec to be attended by Canadians from all over the rest of Canada to persuade the Québécois that they were loved & respected, and that we wanted them to stay in Canada. "My Canada Includes Québec!" Anyone remember that one?

Hey Mr1derful did you get to vote in that last referendum? What about any of the other Canadians on the board?

I think aside from the geo-political implications, perhaps Washington is nervous about any talk of secession.

There have been quite a few states that have started the ball rolling with regards to seceding from the USA.
It's my personal opinion that the reason we haven't heard more about it is because they're all so darned broke and need all the money being doled out, ...but in the background, they're dotting all their i's, crossing all their t's. They're already locked & loaded and fully prepared to pull the trigger. Wouldn't want to encourage Rick Perry or Todd Palin would we, ...although I doubt we will hear much secession talk out of Perry until he knows for sure he's not taking a run for the White House.

I've always felt that if Quebec wants to leave, go.  So long as they take their share of the national debt when they go.   

[24KT]

I've always felt that if Quebec wants to leave, go.  So long as they take their share of the national debt when they go.   

As long as they don't take all the poutine with them, I suppose I can live with it,
...but can we at least keep Le Chateau, Aldo shoes, Danier & Lactancia butter?
I like it better than Gay Lea. Oh... and Metro too, Fortino's is way too far.