Putin uses the referendum as a level of pressure on the Western democracies (crime, best)

[Jojen Haas]

In the civilized world referendum constitutes a form of democracy allowing the citizens to take a direct part in making grave national decisions. Putin’s Totalitarian regime devoid of the democratic values uses referendum as a powerful propagandistic weapon of influence on the European politics.

Russian officials have recently grandiosely celebrated another anniversary of the so-called “free referendum on affiliation” of the Ukrainian Crimea to Russia. We remind that two years ago in March 2014 the referendum on “self-determination of Crimea” took place and was never recognized by any civilized actor in the world as it had been held literally at gunpoint of the Russian troops, in absentia of the international observers. Moreover, during this referendum were breached provisions of the international law regarding that the organizers of the referendum applied intimidation physical coercion and terror in Crimea. Afterwards mighty Russian propaganda covered all these events as a manifestation of the free declaration of local people’s will. By distorting the values and achievements of the western democracy, hypocritically and manipulating the very notion of direct and free declaration of will, Putin cynically and hypocritically used the referendum for legitimization of the unlawful annexation of Crimea; in short, for occupation of a territory of the independent state Ukraine.
On the other hand the Kremlin’s propaganda agents use referendums in the European countries with the view to undermine the unity of the EU and NATO which is vividly demonstrated by the referendum in the Netherlands on ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. We witness the Kremlin playing the “Netherlands’ card” marked by the “consultative” referendum in the Netherlands scheduled on the 6th of April. Voters are offered to express their opinion either “for” or “against” ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. It is remarkable that this referendum was initiated by several little-known local representatives of the far-right parties and NGOs who are evidently supervised by the Kremlin’s spin doctors. In reliance upon euro-skeptical moods of a part of the Dutch they’re planning to resolve a twofold task via referendum which is to split the ranks of the unified Europe and pose great obstacles for Ukraine on its path towards EU-integration.
Referendum has exceptionally consultative nature though in case the majority of the Dutch vote against the EU-Ukraine association the government of the Netherlands will be hardly ever able of ignoring the results.
In the West as well as in the Netherlands Kremlin’s propaganda machine works at its full capacity. Russia takes enormous efforts in order to gain the negative outcome of the referendum by demonizing the image of Ukraine. All types of methods are applied ranging from the downright lie, manipulation and substitution of notions, informational provocations featuring tailored overtly fake materials in the local and international media to the declarations and appeals of the bribed dishonorable activists politicians and journalists. Russian trolls flooded the social networks seeking to support the respective course of the discussion. It goes without saying that Russian propaganda media resources such Russia Today and Sputnik work at their full capacity.
The choice of the Dutch people is critically important not only for Europe but for Europe. Since it is the matter of the European unity it’s subversion constitutes a strategic goal of the Putin’s regime.
There is one more important aspect. Modern Ukraine is an important element of the European security. This state is somewhat similar to the shield containing the Russian expansion deep into Europe.
All in all we have two referendums: one was held in Crimea and the second one is to be organized in the Netherlands. In both cases the only one beneficiary — Kremlin.

[erasure]

Yeah... and "Western democracies" used such terms as "freedom and democracy" as a guise for plundering of Russia/former Soviet Union.
What goes around comes around - big deal.
Besides, "modern Ukraine" is a a hotbed of corruption, not less than Russia proper.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/op...orruption.html

So much for the "shield" of "European security."

[J.Thomas]

Let Putin have some fun.

At least he's enjoying the situation.

Neither us nor Europe are happy anymore

[boxus]

Most of Crimea never wanted to be part of Ukraine. Hell, over 90 percent of the Ukrainian military stationed there went over to the Russians.

Crimea being part of Ukraine was no concern during the USSR, but after it, it was a concern, especially after irritants removed a lot of Crimea's autonomy.

What sparked them leaving Ukraine was the coup against the president they voted for.

[boxus]

And calling people trolls? You are the one here with all of three posts blabbing away about nonsense.

[grega94]

I have relatives who live in Crimea and they were not forced to vote at gun point, nor were they intimidated or felt threatened, in fact they felt the opposite, they felt very safe, there were some military personnel patrolling the streets, but they weren't scared of them. They also voted for Russia. They knew that in the short term it will be hard and the economy of Crimea might go down a bit, but in the long term Crimea will do much better with Russia than with Ukraine. And already Russia has invested a lot more money then Ukraine, such as replacing old roads and other infrustructure projects. Also if a land is being occupied there is usualy going to be a lot of pushback from the population, and there will be a lot of stress and fear as well as soldiers every where policing the place, but instead it is very peaceful and calm with no soldiers on the streets, and on top of that all the government officials and employees that existed before the annexation have remained the same.

[Scrat335]

Ukraine released a list of traitors a few weeks ago. It lists the names of every serving officer and rating that stayed in the Crimea and is now serving there under the Russian colors. My exes best friend has a brother on that list and she fears for his safety and for his family.


The whole thing about the sailors is telling. All those 10s of thousands of years of experience is a crippling loss to Ukraine. No good military organization can function without a legacy of knowledge and experience. That comes from its servicemen and women.


Anyway.

All in all we have two referendums: one was held in Crimea and the second one is to be organized in the Netherlands. In both cases the only one beneficiary — Kremlin.

This is the only line in that waste of words worth noting. Yeah, the Kremlin will make out. They won't have clean up the mess made. Ukraine is a basket case and Russia has anything that matters. Let the Ukrops go clean toilets in Europe while the real talent flees to Russia in droves.