Putin Gambles on European Cowardice (Liberation, France)
"As in Georgia and Armenia, in the fashion of the KGB, which
is his true political matrix, he will use all of his powers to harm and
intimidate, manipulating minorities and extremists. Ukrainians, their leaders and
people alike, have not yet yielded to his provocations. Europeans must show the
courage and determination to face down a man who knows only the language of
force, and always bets, often with good reason, on the cowardice of his enemies."
No
harm done that on Saturday, François Hollande said he believed that "everything
must be done to prevent outside interference in Ukraine," even though
Russia had already invaded and occupied that country the day before. According
to all recognized international treaties, including by Moscow, Crimea belongs
to Ukraine.
Putin
has violated the sovereignty of a European country, sending troops under the
guise of protecting threatened Russians and Russian-speaking populations. We
know how during the history of Europe, before Putin, autocrats have used this
pretext to justify military intervention.
Europe
mustn't accept this coup, which runs contrary to the values of rights and freedoms
it is supposed to protect - and for which dozens of Ukrainians have died.
Crimea has a special status in Ukraine, which ensures the peaceful coexistence
of Russians, Ukrainians and Tatars.
Posted By
Worldmeets.US
Putin
has other aims: he wants bring Ukraine to heel, creating a vassal state
weakened by occupation and the severing of part of its territory. He knows he
can't rewrite history, as in Prague or Budapest, but is gambling on the
pusillanimity of Europeans. As in Georgia and Armenia, in the fashion of the
KGB, which is his true political matrix, he will use all of his powers to harm
and intimidate, manipulating minorities and extremists. Ukrainians, their leaders and
people alike, have not yet yielded to his provocations. Europeans must show the
courage and determination to face down a man who knows only the language of
force, and always bets, often with good reason, on the cowardice of his
enemies.
