Ukrainan Crash

I don't think Putln is that interested in the welfare of his people particularly the impoverished ones! No welfare state for them, so I'm now sure that the loss of gas revenue would concern him that much! He knows that we have a completely different attitude to humanitarian matters, for us it does matter, and no doubt he will exploit this if push comes to shove!

Yep. There's that.

Interesting fact I came across recently: The Russian economy is similar in size to the Italian economy. Maybe they need to sell their gas even more than other countries need to buy it?

separatist holds up cuddly toy

At least he looks shocked himself.

I don't think there is anything to indicate Putin wants more than Crimea.

and, looking at this, what was the point?

I don't think the west can trust Putin one inch!

Me too henetha!!

Well that's absolutely it! So what's the answer? I don't think any of us knows that, and in any case whose to say we'd win?!! I afraid the West has got something of a problem in containing this particular man. Is the problem totally Putin? the Russian mafia could be at work here. Is the downing of this aircraft a deliberate act to see what the West will do? All sorts of scenarios, none of which we can possible know, which of course is the most frightening thing of all. Can't help but feel that it would have been better to have treated Putin much more cautiously in the first place instead of treating him like a long lost friend, which he most certainly is not!

Another dreadful tragedy with so many innocent people killed. It's not a good year for Malaysian airlines. Sympathy to all concerned,
Regarding the black box, I would far rather the Americans had it than the Russians.

If Putin is a bully, how many people are we willing to sacrifice to stand up to him? That is the bottom line.

Did they ever have a proper vote on it?

This of course is the problem when dealing with Russia! We in the West have put ourselves in position of weakness by relying on Russia for Gas supplies, upset them too much and that tap can be turned off and there is nothing we can do about it except huff and puff while Russia runs rings round us!!! Why is that we in the West always seem to be negotiating from the back foot? We always seem so unrealistic when dealing with other countries whose leaders are clearly hostile to us, putting our heads in the sand, trying to pretend that it will all be alright in the end, and then seriously surprised when it isn't!!! I'm all for turning the other cheek, but sometimes it just doesn't work!
No it certainly wouldn't have been a good thing to let Russia take over Eastern Ukraine! It's not their country and they should clear off! You don't think Putin would have stopped at that. He wants the whole of the Ukraine, followed by Poland and who knows where, in fact he wants the USSR back and has made no secret of this. Appeasement never works with a bully, and once he gets away with invading one country he won't rest until he has the remainder of the old soviet block safely under his wing again. Next stop Western Europe, which will succumb without a whimper!

The intercepted discussion among pro-Russian Ukrainian separatists, if accurate, suggests they shot the plane down because they thought it was a Ukrainian freight aircraft. I don't think USA involvement has anything to do with ability to interpret the 'black boxes'. It's more that Putin might take some notice. The EU is in some difficulty over tackling him because so much of the Eastern, former Soviet bloc countries, including half of Germany get their fuel supplies from Russia.

Would it have better if Ukraine had just let that part of its country go back to being part of a USSR?

This is dreadful, I've just been watching the news. All those people!

If there is another cold war, hopefully Russia is n't quite as powerful as it was before. How an anyone extend the hand of friendship to the monster that is Putin?

The U.S isn't ' interfering' Mishap, surely you can't seriously believe that they would sit on the sidelines and not utter a word!!! The same for Russia. The U.S will know exactly how and by whom that aircraft was destroyed, (Russia too) that's a fact whether we like it or not, and it's hardly information that the U,S in particular would keep to themselves when the majority of the world is looking for answers!

The reason I do not want to see US interfering is not anti-Americanism, but a fear that a new cold war (or worse still a world war) could be precipitated by this one act. I don't want to hear rhetoric from any side - it is time for cool reflection.

Makes you wonder about the other air liner. Seems to be a lot of trigger happy people about.

So many countries involved in the losses.

Bloody Putin. Or should I say bloody handed Putin.

Seems like those rebels have got hold of equipment they don't know how to handle.

Not as good as the Americans!

Do no other countries have these technologies?

My sentiments entirely tenith. Having said that, I find it hard to believe that the U.S isn't fully aware of what happened to MH370!!

The US will able to pinpoint exactly where a missile was fired from with their technology they will find out who did it if indeed it was a deliberate act. That has yet to be established.

My thoughts are with the many innocent families who have been destroyed by this dreadful happening however it may of occured.