Ukraine President's fled, who's caring for the animals left behind?

[zwiebel]

Someone's giving Russia Today hell in the comments here - I think it might be an American.

http://rt.com/op-edge/ukraine-us-hypocrisy-russia-758/

 

[zwiebel]

Says here US just announced $1 billion aid to Ukraine?? (with a little bit earmarked for those zoo animals, please?)

And Putin says the tense situation is 'gone'. Mmmmmm

http://voiceofrussia.com/

 

[zwiebel]

BBM

In comments about "the Russians" I would like for there to be a recognition of the difference between the people of Russia and the political leaders of Russia. The Russian people as a whole have suffered greatly under their leaders. They suffered under the czars and they've suffered under the communists.

Putin is doing exectly what Hitler did in Poland in 1939. He has invaded another soverign country. There are Russians living here in the U.S. Would that make it okay for Russian military forces to enter our country on the pretext that Putin is worried about the Russians who are in the U.S.?

The people of Russian heritage who live in the Crimea are legally citizens of the Ukraine. This is not anything recent.

Putin wants the area due to the access to the Black Sea. He's making a grab in the same manner despots have done for centuries. It is a question of what will the rest of the world do to stop him?

Putin chose a good time for this move psychologically, right when the U.S. is sick and tired of Iraq and Afghanistan and just days after the announcement of a plan to scale back the size of the U.S. military. The sentiment to not get involved would seem to be high among our politicians.

But how does the saying go? "Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it"? We all know how well appeasement worked with Hitler.

I have honestly never met a Russian I did not like. They have all been lovely. Really lovely and three have been amongst the most intelligent people I've ever met.

Have to add I haven't met Putin though.

 

[zwiebel]

Russia test fires ballistic missile.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26442381

Great. I can't even leave Europe - my dog's passport has expired. And I'm not going anywhere without him.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26442381

 

[AlwaysShocked]

zweibel: Are you there in Ukraine right now? Are you Ukranian?

 

[jjenny]

I was so happy for the Ukraine when the protestors got the president to flee and they opened up his ridiculously enormous palace and those of his cronies, I mean this guy was supposed to be on the equivalent of $100,000pa. Now it seems that Russia will just not let them become truly independent after being complicit in the corruption for years. I am so upset by it, I wish Russia would just leave Ukraine alone to run their own affairs in peace, but that is just Pollyanna thinking I guess. Damn you Putin.

It's very unclear on what Ukraine is going to be capable of running, even if Russia left them alone. There appears to be anarchy there at the moment.
There appear to be groups with conflicting interests wanting power, including the neo nazis.
So it's far from being peachy rosey.

 

[zwiebel]

zweibel: Are you there in Ukraine right now? Are you Ukranian?

No, thanks for asking, I'm in Germany. If I was in Ukraine, you'd have seen me on the news. I'd be the scruffy little woman in the zoo trying to feed the animals and probably getting nipped by them at the same time too......

It is very odd for me though, as I am English and grew up accustomed to an ocean between my country and any trouble. But this is happening a day's drive away. It makes it feel much more 'real', and one of my townsfolk is beside herself, as all her family are there. It's hard to know what to say.

I know nothing about US politics,so forgive me if I make a faux pas, but I do like the way John Kerry is over here in Europe, speaking out so firmly.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

The animals left to starve to death in Ukrainian zoo as new government of debt-ridden country divert funds elsewhere

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...try-divert-funds-elsewhere.html#ixzz2vJ7Q6erP

 

[gregjrichards]

The animals left to starve to death in Ukrainian zoo as new government of debt-ridden country divert funds elsewhere

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...try-divert-funds-elsewhere.html#ixzz2vJ7Q6erP

You all don't know how upset and angry I am about this. These poor animals need to be saved and I have desperately contacted worldwide animal charities begging them to help or set up a fund for people to donate to. I hope they can be saved it is inhumane to let these creatures starve to death.

 

[zwiebel]

President Putin of Russia ( and now a little bit of Ukraine too now, I guess) has just had his troops storm Ukrainian bases in Crimea. It is now in Russian hands. That gives Russia an easy sea/land route direct to mainland Ukraine where animal food supplies could be passed to Ukrainian volunteers willing to get them to the animals.

President Putin is a very rich man. I've written to him asking that now he controls a bit of the country, can he please make sure the animals are fed, even if he has to dig into his own pocket? I'm not expecting a reply anytime soon, but I had to try.....

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26698754

 

[zwiebel]

It's really odd actually, I never expected the Russian President to have an online facility to send messages direct to his office, complete with full instructions and in English. It's a nice surprise.

http://eng.letters.kremlin.ru/