Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Yeah they defaulted during their crisis in the late nineties

I don't know bother answer to tour question but I was planning to go for a walk and listen to this podcast this evening.

[The Rest Is History] 155. Ukraine and Russia #theRestIsHistory 

https://podcastaddict.com/episode/135876890 via @PodcastAddict

I know the Ukranians and Russians go way back. The vikings put Ukraine on the map and it was the seat of power more than Moscow. Its like if most UK powerful people like prime ministers and artists, came from Scotland. But then the seat of power moved to England and the Scots wanted to be independent but the English didn't want them to be independent.

They're pretty involved with each other culturally. I'd say the podcast above will give a good overview.

Isn't that more or less what was being discussed when Macron went to talk to Putin. And the latter rejected it, has does he go back to that?

He's boxed himself into a corner, underestimating both Ukrainian resistance and what actions much of the rest of the world would take.

He can't govern Ukraine by force. Retreat doesn't seem to be in the book. No matter what happens, word & impact will get through to the Russian people and he's a goner. Best for him if he was quietly retired and the Russian state puts on a new face.

Hypothetically, any discussion of independence referenda in the two regions would need to be conducted:

-Impartially with neutral observers

-results and counting process would also need to be fully examined

-None of this could POSSIBLY EVEN BE FLOATED while there is a large army outside Ukraines capital, and on Ukrainian Soil - THIS IS CRUCIAL - an election cannot be fair and impartial/democratic with Russian guns pointing at Ukraine

Happy to discuss hypothetical resolutions - dispassionately which is always necessary for this type of chat - there would need to be a complete withdrawal though - and an acknowledgement/guarantee (possibly backed by the west, and agreed from Moscow) :

-That the result is accepted by all sides

-No interference at all or military posturing while the process is ongoing

-Once it ends, regardless of the outcome, the Ukraine is then under no further obligations. This would involve NATO/EU/Anything-They-Want

There are ways out but im looking at the above conditions (which are off the top of my head) - and i can honestly state, IMHO - Putin will not accept even one of the above. He feels he has a right to the Ukraine, and is attempting to reconstitute a NEO RUSSIAN EMPIRE - so - in theory yes - in reality, No

It's considered invalid by the rest of the world. Not least because people were going to polls while surrounded by hostile invading forces.

Any region that holds a free and fair referendum on its nationhood (which includes an option that says, "Change nothing"), should be permitted to decide its own fate. For economic reasons, there are obvious limits to what can be considered a viable "region". But if Luxembourg can exist, then the limit is pretty generous.

That's a Belarus MTZ as far as I know.

Someone should nuke the Minsk Tractor Works as an apology to engineering.

Yea and that is the caveat that is most important in any discussion of referenda - 100% VITAL IMHO - no referendum/cessation talks with Russian troops on Ukrainian soil

Could make the European Ploughing Championships later this year pretty interesting...

Thats not a question that anyone can answer - for separatists/independence movements worldwide, at what stage does it reach a critical mass that its recognised and acted on?

Should People Republic of Cork be recognised?

They really are going full on Stalin over there,

death sentence for mentioning the war,

propaganda in schools, feeding lies.

detaining children.

they need to be cut off from everything in the west, everything, seize everything, Visas , everything and never get back in until putin is dead or there is a totally different political ideology over there. Hopefully Asia and Oceania follow suit.

f*ck them,

mind boggling,

Hope the C*nt dies soon.

But, unlike Russia has the Ukraine not actively being trying to deal with the issue?

Zelensky himself has been battling the makeup of the Constitutional Court (via legislative changes) to ensure anti-corruption laws remain valid and purge out any conflicts within the courts (in particular it's judges) in dealing with corruption.