China: Any sanctions on Russia would be a mistake and only escalate the crisis - Polidicks

[QUOTE](Reuters) - China's top envoy to Germany has warned the West against punishing Russia with sanctions for its intervention in Ukraine, saying such measures could lead to a dangerous chain reaction that would be difficult to control. In an interview with Reuters days before the European Union is threatening to impose its first sanctions on Russia since the Cold War, ambassador Shi Mingde issued the strongest warning against such measures by any top Chinese official to date. "We don't see any point in sanctions," Shi said. "Sanctions could lead to retaliatory action, and that would trigger a spiral with unforeseeable consequences. We don't want this." The interview was conducted on Wednesday, the same day that the EU agreed a framework for sanctions that would slap travel bans and asset freezes on people and companies accused by Brussels of violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has taken the lead in trying to mediate in the crisis, has said the measures, which mirror steps announced by the United States, will be imposed on Monday unless Russia accepts the idea of a "contact group" to resolve the crisis diplomatically. Using her toughest rhetoric since the crisis began, she warned in a speech in parliament on Thursday that Russia risked "massive" political and economic damage if it did not change course in the coming days. Russia's Deputy Economy Minister Alexei Likhachev responded by promising "symmetrical" sanctions by Moscow. But Shi urged patience, saying the door for talks should remain open even after a referendum on Sunday in which Ukraine's southern region of Crimea could vote to secede and join Russia. Merkel and other western leaders have denounced the referendum as illegal and demanded that it be canceled.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/13/us-ukraine-crisis-china-idUSBREA2C0PB20140313[/url]

So we should just let Russia do whatever the fuck it wants? Not gonna happen.

Of course China wouldn't want Russia punished for invading another country. It would be very hypocritical of them.

[QUOTE=BuffaloBill;44222371]So we should just let Russia do whatever the fuck it wants? Not gonna happen.[/QUOTE] Why not? Historically Russia has been invading countries for a very long time.

[QUOTE=Electrocuter;44222383]Of course China wouldn't want Russia punished for invading another country. It would be very hypocritical of them.[/QUOTE] china actually condemned russia for invading crimea, although rather indirectly during the UN talks.

[QUOTE=laserguided;44222395]Why not? Historically Russia has been invading countries for a very long time.[/QUOTE] And it's always turned out brilliantly for everyone involved.

[QUOTE=Sgt-NiallR;44222408]And it's always turned out brilliantly for everyone involved.[/QUOTE] Peace loving, if you will.

Always count on China to make vague attempts at moderation in the wrong direction.

Nobody's died so far, which tells me Crimea isn't exactly revolting against Russian annexation. Pass some token sanctions that will expire in a few years and call it a day. So far they're doing a lot more peaceful job than the last time the US "intervened" in another country.

[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;44222480] So far they're doing a lot more peaceful job than the last time the US "intervened" in another country.[/QUOTE] Libya is doing super-well, though. [I]Especially[/I] for a country only two years out of a civil war.

[QUOTE=laserguided;44222395]Why not? Historically Russia has been invading countries for a very long time.[/QUOTE] I don't know what you are talking about, in the countries USSR has liberated 99.7% of the people supported parties working towards that Glorious Socialist Future™!

[QUOTE=Ezhik;44222540]I don't know what you are talking about, in the countries USSR has liberated 99.7% of the people supported parties working towards that Glorious Socialist Future[B]™[/B]![/QUOTE] Pretty sure trademarking stuff is against Marxist ideals.

[QUOTE=laserguided;44222395]Why not? Historically Russia has been invading countries for a very long time.[/QUOTE] Wait; I can only hope you are joking. but regardless; it's pretty funny considering who these words are coming from. The country that is just now starting to realize that it's a shitty idea to be associated with North Korea [editline]13th March 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=Ezhik;44222540]I don't know what you are talking about, in the countries USSR has liberated 99.7% of the people supported parties working towards that Glorious Socialist Future™![/QUOTE] what polls do you look at? I see 100% across the board

[QUOTE=Riller;44222516]Libya is doing super-well, though. [I]Especially[/I] for a country only two years out of a civil war.[/QUOTE] No they aren't. There are motherfucking bombings and militia patrolling the street. Now the central government is threatening to bomb vessels moving oil in the countries east because rebels have taken over.

-snip-

[quote]"Sanctions could lead to retaliatory action, and that would trigger a spiral with unforeseeable consequences. We don't want this."[/quote] "maybe few china fighter jet bomb USA accidentally... maybe couple nuke go missing from china stockpile and end up in hands of muslim..."

I love how the Chinese are usually the most rational when it comes to foreign policy outside their neighborhood.

[QUOTE=The golden;44236238]Ignoring a violation of sovereignty is not rational.[/QUOTE] Making sanctions on a nationalist nuclear-powered nation that's not only a former superpower and has one of the largest militaries in the world isn't either, especially since this can be solved with diplomacy. Sanctions spells Cold War part two, do you really want bad relations with the Russians again?

[QUOTE=Xystus234;44236268]Making sanctions on a nationalist nuclear-powered nation that's not only a former superpower and has one of the largest militarist in the world isn't either, especially since this can be solved with diplomacy. Sanctions spells Cold War part two, do you really want bad relations with the Russians again?[/QUOTE] When was the last time anyone other bumfuck nations had good relations with Russia?

[QUOTE=BuffaloBill;44222371]So we should just let Russia do whatever the fuck it wants? Not gonna happen.[/QUOTE] Yeah it actually will. [editline]14th March 2014[/editline] If America passes a sanction it will be a meaningless token bullshit just to pretend caring.

[QUOTE=BuffaloBill;44222371]So we should just let Russia do whatever the fuck it wants? Not gonna happen.[/QUOTE] Better than starting a world war.