Or likely that fertilizer plants in Africa would be dangerous competitors to European fertilizer plants. — ssu
The Baltic states are NATO members but NATO isn't committed to defending them? — Tate
I think Morocco has three quarters of the reserves of phosphate rock in the world, so it's no wonder. Yet the real issue is to have a robust efficient and up-to-date chemical industry. And that, as is the problem for many Third World countries, isn't so easy to create.Interestingly, Morocco is set to consolidate its position on the fertilizer market in Africa. Building on their natural phosphate deposits they are exporting to sub-saharian Africa but also building fertilizer plants there, and even contributing to agronomic research and extension about optimal fertilizer dosages etc. — Olivier5
The current RF preferred tactic as seen in Ukraine is to seek the complete annihilation of the enemy's civilians and military. — Olivier5
Yet the real issue is to have a robust efficient and up-to-date chemical industry. And that, as is the problem for many Third World countries, isn't so easy to create. — ssu
the complete annihilation of the enemy's civilians and military.
— Olivier5
Pundits have commented that wholesale destruction is what they did in Syria. It's the only thing that works for them. — Tate
Sounds like a bunch of inflamatory nonsense meant to vilify the political enemy. — Tzeentch
As things stand, people generally defend their egos, and they do so with their lives and property, and the lives and property of others. — baker
History is repeating itself. People watched on as Nazism grew, and did nothing. — baker
The current RF preferred tactic as seen in Ukraine is to seek the complete annihilation of the enemy's civilians and military. — Olivier5
Really?
HOW ABOUT CRIMEA? — ssu
Anyway, I think you should put the trust in Stalinist rhetoric to a level where it belongs. — ssu
in Soviet (Russian) history Finland attacked Soviet Union in 1939 and the Soviet Union attempted to liberate the Finnish proletariat, and saw as the legal representative of Finland the Finnish Democratic Republic, which then likely would have joined the Union of Soviet Republics just like Baltic States. — ssu
Of course. EU's generosity has its limits. — Olivier5
Your again wrong, Isaac. With Crimea, it was viewed as an inseparable part of Russia, which had no right to be part of Ukraine. Putin stated it quite clearly.Excuses were - Russian-speaking population, oppression of language, NATO risk to warm-water port access. — Isaac
Colleagues,
In people’s hearts and minds, Crimea has always been an inseparable part of Russia. This firm conviction is based on truth and justice and was passed from generation to generation, over time, under any circumstances, despite all the dramatic changes our country went through during the entire 20th century.
After the revolution, the Bolsheviks, for a number of reasons – may God judge them – added large sections of the historical South of Russia to the Republic of Ukraine. This was done with no consideration for the ethnic make-up of the population, and today these areas form the southeast of Ukraine. Then, in 1954, a decision was made to transfer Crimean Region to Ukraine, along with Sevastopol, despite the fact that it was a federal city. This was the personal initiative of the Communist Party head Nikita Khrushchev. What stood behind this decision of his – a desire to win the support of the Ukrainian political establishment or to atone for the mass repressions of the 1930’s in Ukraine – is for historians to figure out.
Oh! You really think that the Winter War was an example of naked land-grabbing? But somehow you do not notice the totally similar playbook, do you?Ha! Take a country's history all the way back to 1939 and the example of naked land-grabbing you come up with is still Russia. They really have become bogeyman number one haven't they? Do you recall any other land grabs by any other countries in 1939? anything spring to mind? — Isaac
Your again wrong, Isaac. With Crimea, it was viewed as an inseparable part of Russia, which had no right to be part of Ukraine. Putin stated it quite clearly. — ssu
A referendum was held in Crimea on March 16 in full compliance with democratic procedures and international law norms.
More than 82 percent of the electorate took part in the vote. Over 96 percent of them spoke out in favour of reuniting with Russia.
The legality of the "full compliance with democratic procedures and international law norms" seems quite in line with the Stalinist rhetoric during the Winter War. And with Stalinist rhetoric in general:Come on! You're becoming ridiculous. — Isaac
(See here)The referendum unsurprisingly produced a Soviet-style result: 97 percent allegedly voted to join Russia with a turnout of 83 percent. A true referendum, fairly conducted, might have shown a significant number of Crimean voters in favor of joining Russia. Some 60 percent were ethnic Russians, and many might have concluded their economic situation would be better as a part Russia.
It was not, however, a fair referendum. It was conducted in polling places under armed guard, with no credible international observers, and with Russian journalists reporting that they had been allowed to vote. Two months later, a member of Putin’s Human Rights Council let slip that turnout had been more like 30 percent, with only half voting to join Russia.
My point was that Crimea being (historically, ethnically etc) part of Russia was very important in the rhetoric/excuses. — ssu
↪jorndoe
said the obvious about this whole issue. — ssu
Excuses were - Russian-speaking population, oppression of language, NATO risk to warm-water port access. — Isaac
Who said anything about "justified". Where did I even mention the word? — Isaac
what is the difference between excuse and justification to you as applied to the Russian annexation of Crimea? — neomac
Or irrelevant to you. Then why on Earth continue this debate?The point I'm making is that whether Putin wants to annex Crimea, Ukraine (or Moldova, or Lithuania...) is entirely irrelevant to us. — Isaac
Well, in the case of Crimea and now in Donbas, I think this should be clear even to you.What matters is whether he's actually going to try. — Isaac
Oh that would make him change his mind? If we didn't give him excuses?So if we want to limit the horrors of war, don't provide excuses to tyrants. — Isaac
So if we want to limit the horrors of war, don't provide excuses to tyrants. — Isaac
Oh that would make him change his mind? — ssu
I think it's quite obvious that Putin had excuses / justifications / reasons to invade Ukraine irrelevant to NATO / EU / The West. — ssu
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