Ukrainian Crisis

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

Joining the EU will not solve the economic problems, not least because Putin will unleash retaliatory sanctions. Furthermore there are plenty of poor countries, like Romania, in the EU. It isn't some silver bullet.

You seem to think that Ukraine was offered to join the EU and declined. Do you even understand the situation?

The trade pact was a stepping stone towards EU membership. It would have been the gateway drug. So yes I do.

[Divair]

You seem to think that Ukraine was offered to join the EU and declined. Do you even understand the situation?

The trade pact was a stepping stone towards EU membership. It would have been the gateway drug. So yes I do.

Sure pal. Just like when Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland were brought in after trading for a while.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

The trade pact was a stepping stone towards EU membership. It would have been the gateway drug. So yes I do.

Sure pal. Just like when Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland were brought in after trading for a while.

Iceland, Norway, Switzerland aren't part of Russia's sphere of influence. Ukraine's membership in a trade deal would've meant they couldn't join the Eurasian Customs Union. It would antagonize Putin.

In any case, with a trade deal Kiev MIGHT have eventually joined the EU. Now they most certainly won't.

Potential crisis averted.

[Ayreonia]

It's always the same, isn't it? The EU is evil because it's liberal, nondemocratic, caused the financial crisis and Brussels controls it with an iron grip.

*yawn*

You've read one Eurosceptic argument, you've read them all.

[Divair]

Sure pal. Just like when Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland were brought in after trading for a while.

Iceland, Norway, Switzerland aren't part of Russia's sphere of influence. Ukraine's membership in a trade deal would've meant they couldn't join the Eurasian Customs Union. It would antagonize Putin.

In any case, with a trade deal Kiev MIGHT have eventually joined the EU. Now they most certainly won't.

Potential crisis averted.

I don't care about Putin.

They'll be offered the deal again when their current corrupt leader is thrown out. Hopefully that won't be too long, the people seriously need help.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

I don't care about Putin.

Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore Putin. He is the most powerful man in the world.

They'll be offered the deal again when their current corrupt leader is thrown out. Hopefully that won't be too long, the people seriously need help.

The President was elected in what was regarded as one of the freest elections in Ukrainian history, he has the mandate. There is nothing corrupt about it.

[Tubbsalot]

you cannot ignore Putin. He is the most powerful man in the world.

Even you can't have written that with a straight face.

[Divair]

Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore Putin. He is the most powerful man in the world.

No, he isn't. Top 15 maybe. First place would be Obama, John Boehner, or Elon Musk. Maybe Xi Jinping.

The President was elected in what was regarded as one of the freest elections in Ukrainian history, he has the mandate. There is nothing corrupt about it.

You've never been to Ukraine, have you?

[The balkens]

I don't care about Putin.

Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore Putin. He is the most powerful man in the world.

They'll be offered the deal again when their current corrupt leader is thrown out. Hopefully that won't be too long, the people seriously need help.

The President was elected in what was regarded as one of the freest elections in Ukrainian history, he has the mandate. There is nothing corrupt about it.

And with this post, I have lost all hope for humanity.

[The Genoese Cromanatum]

I'm glad, hopefully other similar countries will follow suit.

[The Genoese Cromanatum]

Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore Putin. He is the most powerful man in the world.

No, he isn't. Top 15 maybe. First place would be Obama, John Boehner, or Elon Musk. Maybe Xi Jinping.

http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/

Nope, number one.

Rightfully so.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

you cannot ignore Putin. He is the most powerful man in the world.

Even you can't have written that with a straight face.

I'm not alone in this assessment. See for yourself.
http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/list/

[The balkens]

you cannot ignore Putin. He is the most powerful man in the world.

Even you can't have written that with a straight face.

I've been ignoring him since what? 1999? Pretty easy, just don't watch Russian related news or just stop caring about the former Soviet Union.

[Divair]

No, he isn't. Top 15 maybe. First place would be Obama, John Boehner, or Elon Musk. Maybe Xi Jinping.

http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/

Nope, number one.

Rightfully so.

And I care for Forbes's opinion.. why?

[Shove Piggy Shove]

Well, once you join the EU and become integrated, it's very difficult to just leave. Greece never should have been in the EU but when they had the crisis they still remained. That should be a lesson that no matter how foolish the initial choice, it will not be possible to rectify it later on.

The EU is like a black hole. Once you enter you never leave.

The problem Greece had was joining the Euro prematurely - their public debt has always been above the Eurozone average (sourced), not to mention the culture of tax evasion and corruption limiting government income (sourced)

[The Genoese Cromanatum]

http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/

Nope, number one.

Rightfully so.

And I care for Forbes's opinion.. why?

I'm sure you'd care for Forbes's opinion if one of the people you had listed were in such a category.

[The balkens]

http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/

Nope, number one.

Rightfully so.

And I care for Forbes's opinion.. why?

A magazine is the new kingmaker? Call my therapist, tell him he's going to be filthy fucking rich.

[Old Tyrannia]

The EU's attempt to woo over the FSU states like Ukraine was a blatant attempt at interference in Putin's sphere of influence.

Because Putin has a personal right to a sphere of influence over other countries.
Or because Russia as a personal right to a sphere of influence over other countries.

Here's now a typical train of thought from Eurosceptics.

Stay tuned for more fun stories, I guess.

Please don't insult Eurosceptics by suggesting we all subscribe to the Putin Fanclub's school of thought.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/

Nope, number one.

Rightfully so.

And I care for Forbes's opinion.. why?

It's an objective indicator for seeing which leaders have the most power.
You don't need to like it, but a source is a source. And I don't think forbes has any particular love for Russia, meaning it is unlikely the list is biased.

[Divair]

And I care for Forbes's opinion.. why?

I'm sure you'd care for Forbes's opinion if one of the people you had listed were in such a category.

They were and are on there. I don't particularly care. It's just Forbes's opinion. The fact that they have Boehner at only #66 proves that they have no clue what they're talking about.

[Divair]

And I care for Forbes's opinion.. why?

It's an objective indicator for seeing which leaders have the most power.
You don't need to like it, but a source is a source. And I don't think forbes has any particular love for Russia, meaning it is unlikely the list is biased.

How do you know it's objective? They don't provide any form of data or evidence, they just slapped together a bunch of pictures and listed it, probably based on common misconceptions.

[The yoshin empire]

I don't care about Putin.

Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore Putin. He is the most powerful man in the world.

They'll be offered the deal again when their current corrupt leader is thrown out. Hopefully that won't be too long, the people seriously need help.

The President was elected in what was regarded as one of the freest elections in Ukrainian history, he has the mandate. There is nothing corrupt about it.

Putin , one of the most powerfull men on earth!?!?

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

It's an objective indicator for seeing which leaders have the most power.
You don't need to like it, but a source is a source. And I don't think forbes has any particular love for Russia, meaning it is unlikely the list is biased.

How do you know it's objective? They don't provide any form of data or evidence, they just slapped together a bunch of pictures and listed it, probably based on common misconceptions.

Ok then, please elaborate.
Why would the powerful strongman of the largest nation on Earth with the largest nuclear arsenal, who also is rumored to be the world's richest man, not have the number one spot on the list?

[European Socialist Republic]

Everyone will become one with Russia *nods*

Nah, all will become one with Brussels.

Those ebul Eurocrats won't rest until the entire continent and eventually the entire world is in their hands!

[The balkens]

Everyone will become one with Russia *nods*

Nah, all will become one with Brussels.

Those ebul Eurocrats won't rest until the entire continent and eventually the entire world is in their hands!

NEIN! They know our plans! D: