Comments by "peabase" (@peabase) on "Turkey 'won't beg for EU membership', as tables turn" video.

+Full Vid Clips Yes, the EU is in the midst of a migrant crisis of unprecedented proportions and Turkey can help, but in the long-term, I wonder what Turkey would do if EU membership is off. Forge closer ties with the Middle East and/or Russia? The Middle East is perpetually in crisis and Russia is turning into an economic basket case fast.
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Jasminewynja Now with Russia imposing sanctions on Turkish imports and tourism from Russia about to plummet, Turkey needs the EU more than ever.
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Jasminewynja It's not clear yet, but we can safely assume that Turkey stands to lose billions of US dollars in trade. On the other hand, Russia is dependent on Turkish imports, especially fresh produce. They'll suffer food shortages if they keep up the sanctions, so it's possible that they'll be quietly relaxed. It's not like Russia has many friends left.
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Howard Selby I see you're into silly conspiracy theories. Russia brought it all onto themselves. There's no economic blockade of China or, since recently, of Iran. No "Western" economy worth its salt is going to pass up on lucrative trade deals with either country.
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Howard Selby I'm not talking about the Crimean secession. I'm talking about the illicit and internationally condemned Crimean annexation. If the US were to reimpose sanctions on Iran without cause, other countries, including EU members, will happily step into the breach. The EU has made it clear it won't stand for its exporters being singled out for US sanctions on account of them doing business with Iran. So much for your Western conspiracy.
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Howard Selby If the US wants to shoot itself in the foot, it's no concern of mine. Crimea was an illegal land grab, period. Sure, NATO and the EU are growing -- by popular demand. I see no issue there. It's Putin who foolishly turned against both, not the other way around.
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Howard Selby Both the Ukrainian military and the pro-Russian rebels have civilian blood on their hands. In case you missed it, the rebels even massacred a plane full of civilians -- more than likely with Russian collusion, given the nature of the feat. Putin used every trick in the book to prevent Ukraine from signing an association agreement with the EU, which eventually toppled Yanukovych. The agreement was in no way aimed against Russia, but Putin effectively made it so. Putin's Crimean caper and his troublemaking in Eastern Ukraine reinvigorated an obsolescent NATO. It's worth reminding that Russia was and still is in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, which saw many ex-Soviet bloc members become full NATO members. The door was held ajar for Russia, too.
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Jasminewynja Sure, it's called a free market economy and Ukraine wanted in. Where Putin miscalculated was that the Ukrainians genuinely wanted closer ties with the EU and felt cheated when Yanukovych reneged as part of a desperate rescue operation concocted in the Kremlin. It's a hoot that the culprits are now accusing the US and the EU of something they tried very hard yet utterly failed at. I know that in Russia the electorate doesn't matter, but in Ukraine it made all the difference.
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Jasminewynja Are you actually claiming that the generous loans offered by Russia were purely altruistic? It was glaringly obvious that the Kremlin twisted Yanukovych's arm not to sign the EU association agreement, and that in clear defiance of popular opinion in Ukraine. It was because of that that things came to a head. Your coup d'état is just a fable. Yanukovych not only lost the support of the electorate, but also that of his party. It came as a complete surprise to all Western observers that Putin would resort to military means in Ukraine. It still makes zero sense. As a result of the conflict, Ukraine is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, and Russia is getting there. Two countries that should be the best of friends fell out in a jealous tiff and can't kiss and make up. Despite putting up a brave face, Putin must be kicking himself daily.
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Howard Selby Do you even have the slightest idea where I'm from? I'm sure I have nothing to do with anything that's yours.
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Howard Selby You're wrong on all accounts. English would be my third language.
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Jasminewynja I have no illusions about the USA and EU not meddling in the internal politics of other countries. Russia, however, is one of the worst offenders, employing strong-arm tactics that would make even McCain blush. On the other hand, you have an overly optimistic view of foreign actors shaping domestic policy. Putin foolishly bet on Yanukovych, while the EU/USA bet on the Ukrainian people. I find little fault with the latter. Sure, many Western politicians climbed on the bandwagon, but that was just political point-scoring. Things being as they are, there's no doubt Putin's worst fears will come true and Russia, too, will experience a colour revolution sooner or later. But once again, the Russian people will decide, no one else.
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Howard Selby Reading comp issues? Your media aren't mine.
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Jasminewynja Voters are fickle, and stable democracies have to allow for that. In the EU, governments come and go without much drama. Colour revolutions, on the other hand, are high on drama -- violence even. No matter how you look at it, Euromaidan is a blemish on Ukraine's record. What I still fail to understand is why Putin had to interfere militarily in Ukraine. Yuschenko's Orange Revolution sizzled out, so why would Poroshenko's have been any different? It's far from certain that he could've fixed the economy before public patience ran out once more. Putin could've bided his time till Ukraine's fling with the EU petered out and made place for a more casual friendship. After all, the EU can't fix Ukraine -- only Ukraine can. Now, with a war raging in Eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainians are rallying behind Poroshenko and yucky Yatsenyuk. Democracies always decline in times of war. It good to see you can think for yourself, too.
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