ukraine wheat exports, page-24

Perhaps, Dopey, instead of this diplomacy drum you ratatat on, perhaps addressing the fears, needs and aspirations of the minorities within the country would be better in the first instance than trying to be diplomatic with a snake.

Well, guess what? The first act of the so called 'new Ukrainian' government(?) was to revoke the legislation protecting minority rights.

And that is exactly when all the neighboring small countries started to look to Russia and EZ demanding action.

Putin is safe at home, but it is hated by the ruling elite in the West. Ordinary people don't have any problem with Putin in Russia and certainly not in the rest of Europe. Anything new there?

Oh, i forgot to mention one sanction favored by the west -
arms sanction. The French have already said that they will not support it. Anyway - it is all just symbolic. Russia knew months and weeks ago the situation in Ukraine, watched the EU and US secretly plotting for leadership change.

In other words - Putin quietly prepared and executed his own strategy. Time was on his side. The US knew they blew it when Russia released the video of US officials negotiating for Ukraine's future and 'f@ck the EU' diplomacy.

That is already history.