"In a letter sent to the governments of Poland, Romania and Hungary, Vladimir Zhirinovsky also suggested those countries hold referendums on incorporating the regions into their territory. Zhirinovsky, whose nationalist Liberal Democratic party largely backs President Vladimir Putin in the Russian parliament, sent the letter as Russia annexed the Crimea region of southern Ukraine last week. He is deputy speaker at the Duma and his party holds a minority in the parliament. But his ideas and language resonate with a large part of the Russian population and the Kremlin's increasingly pro-nationalist rhetoric. His letter, seen by Reuters, suggested Poland, Hungary and Romania, who are now in the European Union, might wish to take back regions which he said were in the past their territories." Reuters
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So, basically, this political ally of the Russian president has invited Poland, Hungary and Romania to exercise supposed irredentist claims against the Ukrainian state created by the Soviet Union as a result of soviet victory in world War 2.
The borders of the territories in eastern Europe have ben moving around for many centuries. In many cases the present borders are of recent invention. The notion that they are somehow engraved on stone tablets in some distant Olympian vault never to change again is laughable to anyone who knows any history at all.
It will be interesting to see if this idea is attractive to the Polish, Hungarian and Romanian peoples as opposed to their governments. pl
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/24/ukraine-crisis-partition-letter-idUSL5N0ML1LO20140324
Charles I and Norbert Salamon,
Here's another video of changing borders that starts in 486 A.D. It's easier to follow in full screen mode. And yes, Charles I, I have to admit to feeling a visceral pride in seeing the Grand Duchy of Lithuania extend from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. Childish perhaps, but the feeling can't be denied.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY9-rXxhyb0
Posted by: The Twisted Genius | 26 March 2014 at 01:56 PM
WP,
As David points out above, Putin's speech is about looking after Russia's interests.
“Are we ready to consistently defend our national interests, or will we forever give in, retreat to who knows where?”
This is realpolitik. The system of international relations has been broken thanks to this crisis (the US bombing Syria would have caused this break at that time),so one has to be practicable to survive and that is what Russia is doing. Their intelligence services read the western newspapers and works from the think tanks, and know what policy theories are being presented to political leaders. It is even open to us as these same people bloviate on TV about surrounding Russia. Putin would have accepted an EU Ukraine (without NATO) if the government implemented the transitional agreement that was diplomatically negotiated. Once it was broken (violently) and the US says accept this fait accompli, Russia could no longer retreat.
Yes, Ukraine is poor and broke. Unfortunately they have been sold a pie in the sky dream of prosperity and it came from snake oil specialists.
In December, I was optimistic that the worse was over as diplomacy seemed to bring rational sanity in regards to the flash points of Iran and Syria. Today I join with you and Col Lang, it appears bleak with vain leaders, delirious courtiers,and sycophantic cheerleaders. In a positive vein, the professionals behind the scenes could be making progress in de-escalation. The silence from the military establishment should be seen in this light.
Posted by: Thomas | 26 March 2014 at 04:10 PM
WRC,
Yes to both.
Posted by: Thomas | 26 March 2014 at 04:11 PM
WP.
I composed and posted this first before reading your post on the above thread about your definition of Myth.
Yes I agree with you that Putin has a Russian myth to give a basis for rebuilding a society devastated by the failed Communist and 90s Western economic experiments. That leaders are talking past each other is a grave danger.
Posted by: Thomas | 26 March 2014 at 05:01 PM
As I suspected, the vultures (bond vigilantes) have already circled, "Ukraine Versus the Vultures"
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/ngaire-woods-and-taylor-st--john-warn-that-the-country-s-investment-treaties-could-undermine-debt-restructuring-efforts#m06JHEl7kDMGhvQI.99
Posted by: MRW | 26 March 2014 at 05:29 PM
Great post, David, as have been many of your observations about this issue, imho.
Posted by: MRW | 26 March 2014 at 06:07 PM
TTG,
Thank you. I love timelines like this.
Regards,
Posted by: Charles Dekle | 26 March 2014 at 11:09 PM