Inside the People's Republic of Donetsk - Polidicks

[IMG]http://thepeoplescube.com/images/various_uploads/skeet/Donetsk_Russia_Ukraine_12.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE]It is part Soviet theme park, part wacky anti-western wonderland. Stuck to the barricades outside the "Donetsk People's Republic" are several caricatures of Barack Obama. There is Obama as Hitler, complete with moustache. There is Obama, Bonaparte and the Führer, and the words: "They all thought their nations were superior." And there is Obama as a monkey (the monkey-Obama, visible on Friday, had disappeared by Saturday). Further inside, past a serpentine wall of tyres, activist Vitaly Akulov stood beneath a flag of Stalin. The Soviet leader had a Kalashnikov. Wasn't he responsible for the deaths of millions of Soviet citizens? "Without a tough tsar who uses harsh methods you can't build an imperium," Akulov observed. Other banners read: "Fuck EU and USA", "Donbass with Russia" and "Russians should be together!" Two weeks ago pro-Kremlin separatists seized Donetsk's regional administration building. They have been there ever since, transforming the 11-storey block overlooking the green Pushkin boulevard into an improvised youth hostel and counter-revolutionary HQ. They are a bizarre group, including teenagers in balaclavas, some just 15 or 16, and bearded men in military jackets. But if Vladimir Putin has his way they will soon become the east's new "government". On Thursday, Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the EU hammered out a deal in Geneva to de-escalate the six-month-old Ukraine crisis. It was agreed that all illegal groups would end their occupation of official buildings and give up their weapons. Some 48 hours later, however, the separatists who have grabbed a string of municipal premises across the Donbass region, with the capital in Donetsk, had not budged. "Of course we're not leaving," said Alexey Kirolov, a 24-year-old activist, munching his breakfast in the "republic's" pop-up ground-floor cafeteria. A table was laid out with sandwiches – salami and pork fat – biscuits, tea and coffee. Donated bottles of pickled gherkins were piled up nearby. But what about Geneva? "Russia signed a bit of paper. Everybody knows they didn't mean it," Kirolov said. "Putin's not going to give up on us. We're his people." On the 11th floor – reached via a lot of stairs, since the lifts don't work – the "republic" leadership was planning its next move. In what used to be the economics and legal departments, exhausted activists lolled on chairs listening to the radio. On Friday "people's governor" Denis Pushilin, a neatly dressed local businessman apparently handpicked for the role, denounced the Geneva deal. He told journalists that his supporters wouldn't leave buildings before the "illegal" government in Kiev quit. A leaflet bearing his name had been dumped outside Donetsk's Jewish synagogue. It said that all Jews in the city had to register, warning that if they did not they would face a fine. Pushilin has denounced the leaflet as a hoax and a "complete lie". Its provenance remains a mystery. Speaking to the Observer, Vladimir Markovich, Pushilin's close colleague, said the usurping government in Kiev didn't have the right to sign anything: "They are not legitimate." Ukraine's democratically elected parliament, at least, had voted in the new government. Even members of Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions had supported it. Had anyone actually voted for him? "No, but local people from my area back me." Markovich described himself as the "republic's" speaker. He said his activists had barricaded the building with tyres and razorwire because "fascists" might storm their camp at any moment. "We have no weapons, we've never had them," he said. The protesters would continue their sit-and-sleep-in until a referendum was held on the region's future status, he said. The separatists want this by 11 May. With the Geneva agreement already dead, two scenarios were now likely, according to Igor Todorov, a professor at Donetsk's university. The first was that Russia would annex the east of Ukraine, as it did last month with Crimea. The second was that Moscow would install a puppet regime analogous to the one in Trans-Dniester, the breakaway Moldovan region next to western Ukraine, he said. "The Kremlin will decide at the last minute." Certainly Russia is treating the "Donbass People's Republic" as a dignified government-in-waiting. The separatists make no secret of wanting to join Moscow. In the lobby of the occupied building is a large map of Donbass, with "Russia" scrawled on it. The US, EU and Kiev say there is overwhelming proof that the Kremlin is co-ordinating the armed uprising using undercover soldiers and FSB agents. Moscow denies this.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/19/ukraine-donetsk-pro-russia-militants[/url]

[Quote]"Russia signed a bit of paper. Everybody knows they didn't mean it[/Quote] I'm pretty sure when you sign a piece of paper in a diplomatic situation you're supposed to kind of mean it.

[QUOTE=Wolf532;44611258]I'm pretty sure when you sign a piece of paper in a diplomatic situation you're supposed to kind of mean it.[/QUOTE] History has shown that to be false. No country cares until that bit of paper supports their line.

[quote]Other banners read: "Fuck EU and USA", "Donbass with Russia" and "Russians should be together!"[/quote] Fuck you too, ultra-nationalist scum. What does the U.S. even have to do with this?

[QUOTE=Explosions;44611310]Fuck you too, ultra-nationalist scum. What does the U.S. even have to do with this?[/QUOTE] A friend pointed out to me in the VICE video, There is a guy saying Fuck the USA, and he's wearing American ACU's

[QUOTE=Explosions;44611310]Fuck you too, ultra-nationalist scum. What does the U.S. even have to do with this?[/QUOTE] The vice president of the US is visiting Kiev but not Donetsk. [editline]21st April 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=Sir_takeslot;44611381]A friend pointed out to me in the VICE video, There is a guy saying Fuck the USA, and he's wearing American ACU's[/QUOTE] "Russian special forces" were seen wearing a used surplus British army vest.

[QUOTE=Wolf532;44611258]I'm pretty sure when you sign a piece of paper in a diplomatic situation you're supposed to kind of mean it.[/QUOTE] History has [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellogg%E2%80%93Briand_Pact"]definitely[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Broken_Treaties"]not[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Versailles"]shown[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_London_(1518)"]that[/URL].

[QUOTE=code_gs;44611446]History has [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellogg%E2%80%93Briand_Pact"]definitely[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Broken_Treaties"]not[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Versailles"]shown[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_London_(1518)"]that[/URL].[/QUOTE] Linking to mobile is carrying on the work of undead Hitler. I know you're on your phone, but damn, girl, delete the .m in en.m.wikipedia before you post.

[QUOTE=laserguided;44611387]The vice president of the US is visiting Kiev but not Donetsk. [editline]21st April 2014[/editline] "Russian special forces" were seen wearing a used surplus British army vest.[/QUOTE] ... They're saying that Obama is equivalent to Hitler because the VP isn't visiting them? Jesus christ, how petty can you get?

[QUOTE=code_gs;44611446]History has [URL="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellogg%E2%80%93Briand_Pact"]definitely[/URL] [URL="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Broken_Treaties"]not[/URL] [URL="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Versailles"]shown[/URL] [URL="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_London_(1518)"]that[/URL].[/QUOTE] The Treaty of Versailles is not a good example, the signing was forced under threat of total annihilation.

[QUOTE=laserguided;44611387]The vice president of the US is visiting Kiev but not Donetsk.[/QUOTE] Why would Biden visit a completely unrecognized, violent rebel conflict zone? What could he possibly do or say there that would accomplish anything?

[QUOTE=Explosions;44611670]Why would Biden visit a completely unrecognized, violent rebel conflict zone? What could he possibly do or say there that would accomplish anything?[/QUOTE] What is visiting Kiev going to accomplish?

[QUOTE=laserguided;44611685]What is visiting Kiev going to accomplish?[/QUOTE] I don't have any qualifications in international relations, but the fact that the Ukrainian government actually controls a real nation that has relations and agreements with various other nations around the world, has control over a very sizable military, etc. would have the potential to do some actual good rather than doing absolutely nothing with a bunch of rebel groups.

[QUOTE=laserguided;44611685]What is visiting Kiev going to accomplish?[/QUOTE] Well, it might-... I mean, maybe he can-... Actually, diplomacy is entirely outdated, now Skype is a thing.

[QUOTE=Explosions;44611690]I don't have any qualifications in international relations, but the fact that the Ukrainian government actually controls a real nation that has relations and agreements with various other nations around the world, has control over a very sizable military, etc. would have the potential to do some actual good rather than doing absolutely nothing with a bunch of rebel groups.[/QUOTE] Exactly.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;44611600]The Treaty of Versailles is not a good example, the signing was forced under threat of total annihilation.[/QUOTE] They still broke the treaty on a lot of counts, knowing that it would lead to war on purpose; such as building military equipment with money that should have been used to pay France, remilitarizing the Rhine, annexing east European territory, and not moving out of Poland. Although I agree it was an unfair treaty, it's still a historical example a failed "signed piece of paper."

[QUOTE=laserguided;44611701]Exactly.[/QUOTE] ...So, you're saying he's right, and visiting Kiev is a useful thing, where visiting the rebels would be a useless, possibly negative thing?

[QUOTE=Riller;44611491]Linking to mobile is carrying on the work of undead Hitler. I know you're on your phone, but damn, girl, delete the .m in en.m.wikipedia before you post.[/QUOTE] Are people really so obsessed with facepunch they are constantly posting on their phone?

[QUOTE=Oscar Lima Echo;44611718]Are people really so obsessed with facepunch they are constantly posting on their phone?[/QUOTE] Rather, some of their ISP's are Nazis and shut off connection at certain times.

[QUOTE=Jamsponge;44611586]... They're saying that Obama is equivalent to Hitler because the VP isn't visiting them? Jesus christ, how petty can you get?[/QUOTE] I'd say they're more inclined to portray Obama as Hitler since the US signed the Geneva deal. The EU is also involved since some eastern EU countries invoked the 4th article of the NATO treaty which also means that the US is forced to be involved. There's also the fact that the West supports the current Interim government which is what the rebels are fighting against. Also this: [QUOTE=The Guardian]A cruder poster contrasts a row of Russian soldiers with a European gay pride rally. It asks bluntly: "In which parade would you want your son to take part?"[/quote] Not only do Russian Ukrainians feel threatened by the West since they support the Pro-EU government but they also see the West as ideological enemies as well. Then again, The Guardian is biased against Russia and so am I. [QUOTE=Riller;44611708]...So, you're saying he's right, and visiting Kiev is a useful thing, where visiting the rebels would be a useless, possibly negative thing?[/QUOTE] Which proves that Explosions was wrong about the US involvement in the current Ukrainian crisis. I guess that was the point of that post.

[QUOTE=Thompsonas;44611732]I'd say they're more inclined to portray Obama as Hitler since the US signed the Geneva deal. The EU is also involved since some eastern EU countries invoked the 4th article of the NATO treaty which also means that the US is forced to be involved. There's also the fact that the West supports the current Interim government which is what the rebels are fighting against. Also this: Not only do Russian Ukrainians feel threatened by the West since they support the Pro-EU government but they also see the West as ideological enemies as well. Then again, The Guardian is biased against Russia and so am I. Which proves that Explosions was wrong about the US involvement in the current Ukrainian crisis. I guess that was the point of that post.[/QUOTE] No, you're right, most of the homophobic eastern Europeans actually use gay tolerance in the EU as proof that Russia is superior, to the point of making it the defining characteristic of the West. The word "Eurogayean Union" gets thrown around. And if you think they actually have any actual reasoning behind calling the US Hitler, they don't, and the fact that they use Stalin as their idol kind of proves that. They might as well call them the Devil and Russia is Jesus. It's "Us and Them" mentality.

From what I know, most things that are called People's Republics aren't really People's or Republics either.

[quote]Vladimir Markovich, Pushilin's close colleague, said the usurping government in Kiev didn't have the right to sign anything: "They are not legitimate." Ukraine's democratically elected parliament, at least, had voted in the new government. Even members of Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions had supported it. Had anyone actually voted for him? "No, but local people from my area back me."[/quote] This man is the funniest person in Ukraine.