In chapter six of Countries and Concepts by Michael G. Roskin Russia is discussed. In the book it says that because Russia is big and ethnically diverse it requires a strong central control backed by force to hold it together, a point that inclines Russia to tyranny. Russia is so big that it is part if Europe and Asia. One country that used to be part of Russia is Ukraine, which is now independent.
Today Russia is trying to annex Crimea, a part of Ukraine. This has significantly intensified the confrontation with the West politically because Russia is threatening to undermine a system of respect for national boundaries that has helped keep the peace in Europe and elsewhere in decades.
Both leaders of the Russian Parliament have publicly spoken that they will support Crimeans if they want to break away from Ukraine. Russian has even sent Russian army men to Crimea. The main question that this issue arises is do Crimeans want to be annexed by Russia? Is Russia supported? This controversy not only calls Russia's relations with the West but also post Cold-War agreements on the sovereignty of the nations that emerged from collapse of the Soviet Union.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/08/world/europe/ukraine.html?_r=0
It is crazy to think that Russia is willing to get involved in such a heavy subject. Russia from what I have read and also discovered is that Russia is willing to put their nose in other's business. Russia needs to look at the big picture and see if they will even be given support, let alone does Crimea even want their help. You ask valid questions, and with that I agree with you. I do not understand why Russia likes to hop into other's business, but hopefully there will be a successful outcome rather than a bad one.
ReplyDeletei think that maybe Russia is not getting involved purely because it feels like it. It would only really get involved if it has something to gain which it does and so it got involved. it was not out of the goodness of Putin's heart that he sent soldiers into Crimea.
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