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[Dutchling]

Apparently Belarus is afraid of Russia pulling a Crimea on them.

[Baffler]

Apparently Belarus is afraid of Russia pulling a Crimea on them.

According to a copy of the law published online, Minsk will view the deployment of another nation's armed groups, irregular forces, mercenaries or regular military units in the country as a military attack, regardless of whether or not it was accompanied by a declaration of war.

The real question is: why does anyone feel the need to elaborate that? You'd think that people'd consider an attack an attack regardless of whether or not the belligerent party politely announces their intention.

[MarcAFK]

Apparently Belarus is afraid of Russia pulling a Crimea on them.

From that article:

Dear reader,

 Due to the increasing number of users engaging in personal attacks, spam, trolling and abusive comments, we are no longer able to host our forum as a site for constructive and intelligent debate.

 It is with regret, therefore, that we have found ourselves forced to suspend the commenting function on our articles.

 The Moscow Times remains committed to the principle of public debate and hopes to welcome you to a new, constructive forum in the future.

 Regards,

 The Moscow Times

It's interesting to be reminded that despite the semi-frequent disruptions here, for the most part things have remained civil. 

[smjjames]

Wait, it's not the unemployment index but the percentage of people who think that the unemployment is getting better/worse?

Yes, the website I linked deals exclusively with polls and opinions, economic research is not its domain. I think I should edit the original post, not that you mention it.

That specific graph was also poorly titled.

Also, just out of curiosity, was that big spike in 2007/2008 there due to ripple effects from the economic crisis we were having at that time?

Apparently Belarus is afraid of Russia pulling a Crimea on them.

What about mercenaries/soldiers of fortune/foriegn fighters that are actually on Belarus's side?

[Ukrainian Ranger]

I find it fun how stereotypes ruin. I will tell a secret to our Russian friends, Right Sector is like 75% Eastern Ukrainians (including its leader). It is funny to see how huge chunk of young, 16-26 year old Ukrainian nationalists are Russian Speakers. New generation arrived.

As for some parts of Western Ukraine* and draft avoidance. Honestly, knowing mentality of the area I would be surprised if it would go any other way. In fact only 57% avoidance is less than I expected. We are talking about mountainous rural areas here. They are very independent minded people. Guys who wanted to go to the front volunteered long long time ago. Others. Other believe that government has no right to decide for them should they go to the front or not.

*Western Ukraine is large and each region is far from being same. Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk may be neighbours but they are different

[Erkki]

I dont think that there is any racial/cultural thing among "West Ukrainians" that makes them less prone to willing to die for their homeland.

Raate Road and 44. Kievskaya Rifle Division comes to mind...

[Sheb]

Knit Tie, weren't you dismissing the Levada Center has an hopelessly partisan sources of news earlier?

I wonder how Russia's relations with Belarus will end. You'd think that after 1956 and 1968, Russia would know that friendship cannot be obtained at gunpoint.

[Sergarr]

If thou say that Russia annexed Crimea, then we say that FRG annexed GDR.

[Knit tie]

Apparently Belarus is afraid of Russia pulling a Crimea on them.

According to a copy of the law published online, Minsk will view the deployment of another nation's armed groups, irregular forces, mercenaries or regular military units in the country as a military attack, regardless of whether or not it was accompanied by a declaration of war.

The real question is: why does anyone feel the need to elaborate that? You'd think that people'd consider an attack an attack regardless of whether or not the belligerent party politely announces their intention.

I'd say it's a political maneuver first and foremost. Belarus simply needed to declare that it is not just another part of Russia, but a country in its own right. Still, I see no great consequences of this law.

Knit Tie, weren't you dismissing the Levada Center has an hopelessly partisan sources of news earlier?

I wonder how Russia's relations with Belarus will end. You'd think that after 1956 and 1968, Russia would know that friendship cannot be obtained at gunpoint.

News? Indeed. Its commentary is firmly anti-Putin and anti-Russian in general. But the Levada Center is also an excellent source of genuine, unbiased, untampered with polls, which can be said to carry even more weight than those made by Rosstat, the official Russian polling agency, since they cannot be said to ever be sympathetic with the current government. If Levada centre says that, for example, 65% of the people suport Lavrov, it most likely will be the truth.

As for Belarus, I don't think there will be an end to its relations with Russia any time soon.

@Erkki: To be honest, I was surprised there was any draft avoidance at all - Ukrainians in general are not known for cowardice and selfishness.

[Helgoland]

If thou say that Russia annexed Crimea, then we say that FRG annexed GDR.

You know who holds that position in Germany? You know, Germany, the country you're talking about? Only people who want to abolish parliamentarism, people who claim the GDR was democratic as well as republican. Sure, you can position yourself at the side of these people, but it will only make the gap between Russia and the West bigger, it will only alienate us further, and lead to Russia being perceived as foreign, hostile and, ultimately, evil.

[Knit tie]

If thou say that Russia annexed Crimea, then we say that FRG annexed GDR.

You know who holds that position in Germany? You know, Germany, the country you're talking about? Only people who want to abolish parliamentarism, people who claim the GDR was democratic as well as republican. Sure, you can position yourself at the side of these people, but it will only make the gap between Russia and the West bigger, it will only alienate us further, and lead to Russia being perceived as foreign, hostile and, ultimately, evil.

Helgo, I think Sergarr was making a joke.

Okay, not really. I think that this new statement is just a political middle finger to Germany. Like we say in Russia, "throwing shit into the fan."

[Sergarr]

If thou say that Russia annexed Crimea, then we say that FRG annexed GDR.

You know who holds that position in Germany? You know, Germany, the country you're talking about? Only people who want to abolish parliamentarism, people who claim the GDR was democratic as well as republican. Sure, you can position yourself at the side of these people, but it will only make the gap between Russia and the West bigger, it will only alienate us further, and lead to Russia being perceived as foreign, hostile and, ultimately, evil.

You say that as if that's a bad thing.

[wobbly]

@Erkki: To be honest, I was surprised there was any draft avoidance at all - Ukrainians in general are not known for cowardice and selfishness.

Many people (including myself) would argue that draft dodging is not necessarily cowardice or selfishness. Are you in the army? If not do you consider yourself a coward or selfish for not enlisting?

[Knit tie]

If thou say that Russia annexed Crimea, then we say that FRG annexed GDR.

You know who holds that position in Germany? You know, Germany, the country you're talking about? Only people who want to abolish parliamentarism, people who claim the GDR was democratic as well as republican. Sure, you can position yourself at the side of these people, but it will only make the gap between Russia and the West bigger, it will only alienate us further, and lead to Russia being perceived as foreign, hostile and, ultimately, evil.

You say that as if that's a bad thing.

Oh yeah, that right.

*Burns the NATO flag in his backyard to the sounds of the Soviet hymn.*

@Erkki: To be honest, I was surprised there was any draft avoidance at all - Ukrainians in general are not known for cowardice and selfishness.

Many people (including myself) would argue that draft dodging is not necessarily cowardice or selfishness. Are you in the army? If not do you consider yourself a coward or selfish for not enlisting?

I've yet to recieve my draft notice. When, and if, I do, I will doubtlessly enlist, like I've stated many times in the past.

[wobbly]

@Erkki: To be honest, I was surprised there was any draft avoidance at all - Ukrainians in general are not known for cowardice and selfishness.

Many people (including myself) would argue that draft dodging is not necessarily cowardice or selfishness. Are you in the army? If not do you consider yourself a coward or selfish for not enlisting?

I've yet to recieve my draft notice. When, and if, I do, I will doubtlessly enlist, like I've stated many times in the past.

Which is your choice. Personally I wouldn't. If someone actually expects me to kill & die for my country then I'd expect some more convincing arguments then we've decided you should & have to. Calling draft dodgers cowards is just spouting rhetoric. Particular if you're trying to make Western Ukrainians look worse to try & justify Russia's actions.