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[Sheb]

Yeah, I hope Merkel will have the guts to stick to her principle, and not lift the sanctions until the Crimea problem is resolved.

[Knit tie]

Yeah, I hope Merkel will have the guts to stick to her principle, and not lift the sanctions until the Crimea problem is resolved.

I hope the precisely opposite thing will happen.

After all, it is always possible to organise another referendum in Crimea, with as many foreign observers and rules as the EU may want and see once again that Crimeans want to be united with Russia.

[Sheb]

Well, a genuine referendum, with a cooldown period once there is a ceasefire in Donbass would be a solution. Honestly, if Crimean want to join Russia, go independent or decide to abolish all state and become on giant mass of cocaine, hookers and blackjack, I don't care. It's just about not letting the precedent that you can just seize part of your neighbor stand.

[Knit tie]

Once again, I say that this was not a seizure but rather a reunification, and the referendum was most likely genuine and representative of the desires of the populace. Also, the Washington couldn't care less about any precedents of anything, it just wants Russia to kneel and yield.

[Sheb]

Yeah, the referendum that didn't include "statu quo" as an option and got 96% of yes was totally genuine. Nothing to see here.

[Knit tie]

Yeah, the referendum that didn't include "statu quo" as an option and got 96% of yes was totally genuine. Nothing to see here.

The poll to which I've provided a link confirms that the absolute majority of Crimeans wanted to join Russia. And who cares about status quo? The other option was a return to the Crimean constitution of the 90s, before the Kyiv forcibly disbanded the Crimean parliament, and it was also a very good thing for many Crimeans.

[Kansa]

Although the pew poll is an actual thing, the site you linked seems to be incredibly biased against America and Ukraine.

It might have been better if you had linked to the original pew poll article instead, that is probably more neutral and will get people to take your point more seriously.

[Sheb]

Ok, so let me be clear.

For you, a referendum with obviously phony results, happening under military occupation, with an entirely one-sided pre-polling campaign and a massive propaganda blitz, is worth anything?

Again, the point is not whether the Crimean wants or not to join. I'm all in favor of the inhabitants of Crimea having self-determination, even if it means joining Russia. But this was a farce, a power-grab that didn't follow any rule.

I'm wondering, is there even a Russian word for "rule of law"?

[Sergarr]

I'm wondering, is there even a Russian word for "rule of law"?

No.

[Mictlantecuhtli]

Ah, I simply love the idea that 'Saudi Arabia is going to raise oil prices in February' [taking the actual context completely out], so that's a good thing for Russia. That's absolutely intriguing.

[Sheb]

Well, if it was true, it would be a good news for Russia. Knit Tie's source was just partial.

[Mictlantecuhtli]

Well, it's not really, but yeah. The price of oil is currently 48.90$. Saudi Arabia getting price increases isn't a good thing for Russia. Now they get to compete for lower prices if they even have access to those markets. So, no, that's not how that works.

[Knit tie]

Although the pew poll is an actual thing, the site you linked seems to be incredibly biased against America and Ukraine.

It might have been better if you had linked to the original pew poll article instead, that is probably more neutral and will get people to take your point more seriously.

Sure thing, my bad. The original article should be rather impartial.

-snip-

Do you have any actual evidence of the results being somehow phony? Pretty much everyone in Crimea who isn't a Tatar wanted to join Russia, and the Tatars decided to not vote at all.

[smjjames]

I'm wondering, is there even a Russian word for "rule of law"?

No.

Maybe they just use the Latinized/Greekitized word?

[Descan]

Knit Tie, I just want to clarify, do you at least understand, if not agree, with why people have a problem with how the Crimean referendum was conducted? I.E. the quickness (you saw how long the Scottish referendum was, between when it was declared that it will happen and when it actually happened) the military presence, the absence of UN/EU/third-party observers, the absurd Soviet-style approval rate, the absence of a neutral option?

Again, do you at least understand that? Whether it's that you know why people would have a problem with those, or perhaps why people could see those elements in the Crimean referendum? Even if you don't agree that they are a problem/were present?