Comments by "Scott Franco" (@scottfranco1962) on "Watch in full: Russian president Vladmir Putin holds annual news conference" video.

So as an American I have some sympathy for Putin's assertation that NATO is attempting encirclement, which of course they are. However, Crimea was said to join Russia by referendum, so why is that suddenly not good enough for Putin to let the rest of Ukraine that is left vote on their own future? It sounds way to much like Putin knows he would lose such a referendum. He seems to be asserting as well that Ukrainians are being brainwashed against Russia, which translates to "we don't trust the democratic process there". I work with Ukrainians from Kiev. You get a way different story from them. Putin should be pushing for proper international election certification and then let the Ukrainians decide if they wish to restrict themselves from joining NATO. We (the rest of the world and Europe) have no business telling Ukraine they have to accept such a restriction. I think a moratorium on joining NATO for a period of time would be acceptable to Ukraine if it meant peace.
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