Carter: Russian Invasion Of Crimea 'Inevitable'

[ProSense]

Carter: Russian Invasion Of Crimea 'Inevitable'

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Jimmy Carter says the Crimean annexation was "inevitable" because Russia considers the peninsula to be part of its country and so many Crimeans consider themselves Russian.

But he says Russian President Vladimir Putin shouldn't be permitted to go any further.

On the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Monday, Carter recounted when then-Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev invaded Afghanistan in 1979.

Carter recalled the U.S. ambassador declared an embargo and withdrew from the Olympics. Then, Carter said, "We began to arm the freedom fighters."

He says that was "successful at stopping them there."

Carter says he believes no matter how President Barack Obama or European nations tried to head off the takeover, Putin would have gone ahead with it, but he shouldn't be allowed to go further.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/carter-russia-invasion-of-crimea-inevitable

[LisaL]

1. Wasn't Bin Laden one of those freedom fighters we armed?

[ProSense]

2. Yes. The invasion lasted from 1979 to 1989.

I think Osama bin Laden entered the scene in the mid 80s.

[dipsydoodle]

5. Yes

aka shooting yourself in the foot.

[ProSense]

3. Kick! n/t

[moondust]

4. That may be.

But if Russia wanted it so badly why didn't they negotiate for it? Like years ago? Perhaps because a negotiated settlement would cost them more than a surpise military takeover?