Delusions of Hostage-Taking

"It's very simple. We are no NATO, it's not Libya, you won't see any Russian troops in Ukraine."
"Whoever discusses rumours about Russian military intervention in Ukraine is committing an insult to the intellect of the Canadian public, full stop."
Georgiy Mamedov, Russian Ambassador to Canada

"Nobody wants to fight these days. Everyone wants to be civilized but there are some countries who are OK to fight and to claim their interests in a very 18th century way. We don't want to fight and we don't want to lose any square metres of our territory. Unfortunately, that might be the final outcome if they can't get back to senses. I see no other way out of it."
"You have the minister of defence and foreign affairs saying there are no Russian forces on the ground and saying you can buy uniforms in the supermarket. Seriously, how can you tell me you can buy uniforms in the supermarket?
"That's a good minister of defence -- he has no idea where his tanks and ATVs are? And President Putin, who has a background in intelligence, has no idea what's going on? Wouldn't you ask if you don't know?"
"[By sending] unmarked and unidentified [troops the Russians are breaking the Geneva Convention] which says that combatants are supposed to be carrying weapons openly and they must be marked. Otherwise, you don't know who are combatants from a particular state and who are terrorists. Doing this, you destroy the world order."
Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Vadym Prystaiko

When the microphones are turned off, the sailors at the Novoozerne naval base do not seem convinced that the political chaos here will end in war. (Derek Stoffel/CBC)

The Ukrainian constitution, points out Ambassador Prystaiko, allows for nationwide referenda only. Meaning that the Sunday referendum taking place in Crimea has no foundation in law; it is illegal. Furthermore, he stated, Crimea has a population of two million people. The Ukrainian constitution requires three million people to establish a fair vote.

"The Russians are saying they have support beyond Crimea so why wouldn't they go for a full referendum?" And although he predicts that Russia will 'accept' the referendum results, "There's no legal way they can do it but they will. And in a couple of days, they will pass a law to be able to annex territory."

In a very unstatesman-like word, the ambassador dismissed Russia's position, naming some of their statements, "crap". My, my!

As for Ambassador Mamedov, his statements about stretching Canadian credulity a bit too far by making those outrageous statements, attributing imperialist territorial ambition to Russia, it is an insult, having no basis in fact or reality. Russia has no intention of invading Ukraine, of imposing its political will on Ukraine, it is all a most unfortunate misunderstanding.

A misunderstanding that appears to have real staying power. With Russian troops and arms intimidatingly on the border, their presence not exactly construed as a benign one by the government in Kyiv. Particularly since the Kremlin gave instructions that three of its ships be sunk, effectively penning Ukraine's Fifth fleet in its Black Sea Harbour Novoozerne base at Sevastopol, held hostage to Russia's will.

Ukraine sailors trapped in Crimean port

Effectively preventing Ukrainian vessels anchored in Sevastopol from leaving port, this is obviously a friendly overture from Russia to Ukraine, proof-positive of their good intentions. "This is shameful for Russia, a friendly country, to do something like this", one young Ukrainian sailor said, as he paused from "normal duties" aboard his ship, as alerts rang out on a regular basis to ensure that sailors be prepared to prevent any Russians attempting to board their ship.

"Everything we are doing now is according to our regular schedule", he said, unconvincingly, adding that he is not afraid, he is a Ukrainian sailor, sworn to do his duty, and he is prepared to do just that should the occasion arise. When friendly overtures become a trifle too friendly and orders are given for the Ukrainian fleet to respond to those overtures.