Did world war 3 just start?

[T.Lex]

Dueling press threats:
(Via Reuters)
Russia warns West support for Kiev could lead to 'catastrophe'

Russia's envoy to the European security watchdog OSCE urged the United States and Europe on Thursday to stop supporting the "party of war" in Ukraine and warned "catastrophe" could result, Interfax news agency reported. "I would like to appeal to the states that have influence on Kiev's leadership, most of all to Washington. It's time to stop indulging Ukraine's party of war," said Russia's OSCE envoy, Andrei Kelin.

(Via AFP)
US warns cost of Russian actions in Ukraine will 'rise'

The United States gave a clear signal Wednesday that Russia will face further sanctions for what the White House says is Moscow's role in fueling violence in eastern Ukraine.
...
"As long as Russia continues its blatant disregard of its obligations... the costs for Russia will continue to rise," Biden was reported to have told the Ukrainian leader.

 

[smokingman]

There will most likely never be any further sanctions on Russia from the EU.Greece(or any nation)in the EU have veto powers,and the new government in Greece has made it totally clear they are against any further sanctions.The first meeting of the new prime minister was with Russian diplomats,not any member of the EU.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-...any-furious-greece-now-russian-sanctions-veto
Greece objects to EU call for more Russia sanctions - Telegraph
"
European diplomats fear that the new Greek government will veto fresh sanctions against Russia – heralding a major confrontation between Mr Tsipras and other EU leaders – at his first Brussels summit on February 12.
EU foreign ministers meet to discuss new sanctions on Thursday before the final decision is taken by Europe's leaders in two weeks. Final agreement will require the unanimous support of all 28 heads of state and government.
The first diplomat Mr Tsipras chose to meet after his inauguration was Russia’s ambassador to Greece, who handed him a congratulatory letter from Vladimir Putin, the Russian president."


From the new Greek Prime minister.

[The SYRIZA] party believes that the new government in Ukraine came to power as a result of a coup, and call it a junta.


h/t @Erula1

"We should not accept or recognize the government of neo-Nazis in Ukraine," the Athens News Agency quotes Tsipras who believes that the Ukrainian people should decide their future themselves.

Speaking about different peoples' movements for self-determination, Tsipras said that the European left respected the right to self-determination, but nationalism and clashes could not lead to positive results.

"We in the EU should not give preference to changing borders, but must respect the position of the peoples, who have decided to create a Federation within the state," said the SYRIZA leader.
​

 

[T.Lex]

Whoa.

Hold on, now, everybody.

**** just got real.
Russia to cut budget for 2018 World Cup amid economic woes - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Russia's Sports Minister says the government will cut the budget for hosting the 2018 World Cup as part of plans to slash state expenditure while recession looms.

Don't eff around with the World Cup.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

US defense officials confirm discussions are underway to provide heavy weapons to Ukraine

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/02/world/us-taking-a-fresh-look-at-arming-kiev-forces.html

 

[T.Lex]

Hmmm... if this is WWIII, sometimes it kinda feels like WWII...
Ukraine run by 'miserable' Jews: rebel chief

Donetsk (Ukraine) (AFP) - Ukraine's pro-Russian rebel chief on Monday branded the country's leaders "miserable" Jews in an apparent anti-Semitic jibe.
Alexander Zakharchenko, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, claimed that Kiev's pro-Western leaders were "miserable representatives of the great Jewish people".
...
Anti-Semitic sentiment remains widespread in Ukraine, where leaders are commonly labelled as Jewish by those seeking to discredit them.

 

[T.Lex]

BBC News - Ukraine crisis: Renewed fighting 'catastrophic' says UN
Looks like Debaltseve is in bad shape, and Donetsk itself isn't faring well.

But, sometimes the UN says stuff that has me SMH.

UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said there had been a "clear breach of international humanitarian law which governs the conduct of armed conflicts".

"Bus stops and public transport, marketplaces, schools and kindergartens, hospitals and residential areas have become battlegrounds in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine," he said in a statement.

It is urban warfare. Of course the battlegrounds will be in all sorts of places that would otherwise be "normal." Like... airports.

 

[BogWalker]

Hmmm... if this is WWIII, sometimes it kinda feels like WWII...
Ukraine run by 'miserable' Jews: rebel chief

Aren't these the same people who were calling the Ukrainian government Neo-Nazis a few months ago?

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Russia Ends U.S. Nuclear Security Treaty, Blames Politics : Roll Call Policy

Well there's that.

Dear god I want a non-pansy president in 2016

 

[T.Lex]

Russia Ends U.S. Nuclear Security Treaty, Blames Politics : Roll Call Policy

Well there's that.

Dear god I want a non-pansy president in 2016

Amen.

Just not sure which of them will best wear that skirt.

 

[T.Lex]

This is where things get interesting.

Russia looks to gain an ally in Greece. Oh yeah, Greece is a NATO member. Kinda feels like NATO poaching former Warsaw Pact countries?
Russia is looking to make an ally within its biggest enemy - Business Insider

"The discussion with the ambassador of Russia, Mr. Maslov, was also about the pending agreements between the Ministries of National Defence of Greece and Russia, the capabilities of a strategic cooperation, the organisation of the year of Greek-Russian friendship in 2016 which will take place in Greece and in Russia. I received an invitation by Russia’s Minister of Defence to visit Moscow within the next period of time," Kammenos wrote on Greece's Ministry of National Defense website .

Unlikely to be a precursor to WWIII, IMHO, but interesting international politics.

And then there's a hospital getting shelled in Donetsk.
BBC News - Ukraine conflict: Deadly shell hits Donetsk hospital

Ho hum... no one was actually immolated on camera, so people's overall sensitivities to these things isn't what it used to be.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Russian woman faces 20 years in prison on treason charges | World news | The Guardian

 

[T.Lex]

No, no, no, GP, she's being detained for her own protection.

In a letter to the prosecutor general and the FSB security service, independent MP Dmitry Gudkov argued that Davydova had been detained “on the basis of personal fantasies and a subjective interpretation of reality”, citing a letter from the defence ministry asserting that Russia was not participating in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Somewhat ironic that the only way it is treason is if her warning had been true. Clearly, there have not been any Russian troops in that area of sovereign Ukraine, so the lady is delusional.

In other news, while Russia is courting Greece, the rest of NATO looks to double down in Eastern Europe:
BBC News - Ukraine crisis: Nato to bolster Eastern Europe against Russia

A new rapid reaction "spearhead" force of up to 5,000 is expected to be announced, with its lead units able to deploy at two days' notice.
Speaking as ministers arrived in Brussels, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said the bloc was responding to "the aggressive actions we have seen from Russia, violating international law and annexing Crimea."

"I very much underline that this is something we do because we have to adapt our forces when we see that the world is changing."
Nato will also reveal plans for a network of small command centres in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria.

 

[mrjarrell]

Ukraine's currency has just gone down the crapper. And they have no reserves to mention after years of politicians skimming the money from the country. Helluva way to have to do things and fight a war.

Ukraine's currency just collapsed 50 percent in two days - The Washington Post

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Huge Explosion at Chemical Plant in Ukraine

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Also, today I learned World of Warcraft is banned in Crimea because of Russia's annexation

Why World Of Warcraft Is Banned In Crimea

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Twitter Says Russia Repeatedly Tried to Erase Tweets by Putin Critics

 

[T.Lex]

Somethin' you don't see ev'ry day.

Residents in Kramatorsk gathered to examine a rocket stuck in the ground after Tuesday's shelling

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Somethin' you don't see ev'ry day.

HEADCRAB ROCKET!

 

[printcraft]

Always a good idea to clown around with unexploded ordnance.

"Hey Yuri, hit it with a rock....."

 

[T.Lex]

HEADCRAB ROCKET!

Must find "Oh. Snap." HL2 meme.