"Without Ukrainian Input"

"The Russian troop buildup is creating a climate of fear and intimidation in Ukraine. It certainly does not create the climate that we need for dialogue."
"The question is not one of right or legality. The question is one of strategic appropriateness and whether it's smart at this moment of time to have troops massed on the border."
"We will not accept a path forward where the legitimate government of Ukraine is not at the table. No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov before the start of their meeting at the Russian Ambassador's residence about the situation in Ukraine, in Paris Sunday March 30, 2014. Kerry traveled to Paris for a last minute meeting with Lavrov. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool) The Associated Press

"Federation does not mean, as some in Kyiv fear, an attempt to split Ukraine. To the contrary, federation ... answers the interests of all regions of Ukraine."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergiy Lavrov

Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov advanced far-different proposals on how to calm tensions and de-escalate the situation - Jacquelyn Martin / The Associated Press

Of course when it comes to the matter of the disposition of Ukrainian geography and politics, if the Kremlin feels it is entitled to have a say in what another country decides on its own behalf, diplomatic channels of communication are always a good idea. In this particular instance, however, Vladimir Putin does not recognize the 'undemocratic' removal of Russia's approved Ukrainian president, and by extension can give no diplomatic recognition to the current, temporary cabinet, including the new president.

Entirely justified, therefore, in snubbing any opportunity to speak directly to the new Ukrainian government. Russia, and particularly its president, is very, very big on the niceties of democratic convention and is absolutely scandalized at the amount of corruption endemic in Ukraine. Zounds and horrors! All the while Viktor Yanukovych sat as president, Moscow could have complete confidence that corruption did not dare raise its ugly head; now -- well, now anything goes.

Sedate, prim Russia is not accustomed to the rough-and-tumble of citizenry audacious enough to presume they could take matters of state politics into their own protesting hands, defiling the Maidan with rubbish and dangerous fires, allowing ruffians to roam about at will and threaten innocent Russian-speakers for their unasked-for views, and demanding the downfall of a duly elected government. Atrocious, to put it in a word expressing extreme dismay.

The 1994 Budapest Memorandum, with Ukraine forfeiting the deterrence effect of holding onto nuclear weapons in favour of sincere assurances of protective support from countries like ... well, the United States and Russia ... should events occur that threatened Ukraine... International law, international normalities and international institutions do matter, after all. One should have trust in them for security and protection, yes indeed.

It is the plight of Russians in Ukraine (Estonia, Moldova, Lithuania, Poland, etc., etc.) that motivates mother Russia to have a care for her children, and thus the build-up of troops on the Ukraine border. To ensure that no untoward events occur to threaten the well-being of Russians and Russian-speakers; reasonable enough reaction to imminent threats where one's people appeal for help, no? And who comes to the aid of Ukrainians intimidated and threatened by Russians and Russian-speaking thugs?

Best to allow children to thrash things out between themselves; parents should stand back and hope for the best. It's common parental wisdom, after all. Annexing Crimea somehow isn't quite in the same league as an exchange of opinion. The "consequences" of which remain largely verbally condemning with promises of more to come. However, Mr. Putin is still enjoying the warm glow of achievement without effort resulting in military loss of any kind.

Oh, wait: there was military loss but it wasn't Russia's, was it, after all? Russia, on the other hand, gained hugely; expanded territory, the Black Sea ports that it is entitled to, some new (Ukrainian) military recruits, Ukrainian infrastructure and Ukrainian battleships, not bad for a few weeks' work. Without much of a strain, come to think of it. It's amazing what a little bit of well-planned and -placed propaganda will net.

Oh, and that meeting between the two diplomatic super-stars? Well, Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Kerry did come to an amicable agreement to work alongside the Ukrainian government to ... improve rights for Russian-speaking Ukrainians and to disarm "irregular forces and provocateurs". An agreement that will have to be relayed to the government of Ukraine.