March 19, 2014 12:35 PM EDT
Ukraine (click here) boasted the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal. In the aftermath of the collapse of the USSR in 1991, authorities in newly independent Kiev found themselves in possession of 176 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers and 1,240 nuclear warheads, along with more than 3,000 tactical nuclear weapons....
Russia is viewed as one of the oppositional forces in the international community that refuses to bring about peaceful measures when The West brings measures to the United Nations. Other nations, primarily Third World see Russia as an ally against The West.
It is worth noting it was Russia and not the US or Europe that invaded the Ukraine. Somehow that is dismissed by the nations that view Russia as a good ally. They might want to rethink that.
It is not the USA asking for Ukraine's soul for help with their debt issue, but, it was Russia that pulled any fiscal help to the Ukraine as soon as it was obvious the Ukraine had no further interest in being a defacto Russian territory. Russia does expect any help offered to cost the soul of a nation.
Published December 5, 1994
The Presidents of Ukraine, (click here) Russian Federation and United States of America, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom signed three memorandums (UN Document A/49/765) on December 5, 1994, with the accession of Ukraine to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Through this agreement, these countries (later to include China and France in individual statements) gave national security assurances to Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The Joint Declaration by the Russian Federation and the United States of America of December 4, 2009 confirmed their commitment....
BRUSSELS
(Reuters) - The European Union (click here) offered a larger than expected package of aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, saying it was willing to provide $15 billion in loans and grants over the next several years to help get the shattered economy back on its feet....
By Susana Mas
"Prime Minister Stephen Harper is announcing $220 million in additional measures to promote sustainable economic growth, democratic development, and good governance," Baird said during a news conference in Ottawa on Thursday.
The Canadian government deems the referendum an "illegitimate stunt" and will not recognize Sunday's referendum results, Baird said.
"We condemned and continue to condemn in the strongest of terms Russia's provocative and illegal military occupation of Crimea."...
(Reuters) - The European Union (click here) offered a larger than expected package of aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, saying it was willing to provide $15 billion in loans and grants over the next several years to help get the shattered economy back on its feet....
By Susana Mas
CBC News
Posted: Mar 13, 2014 3:03 PM ET
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2014 7:43 PM ET
With the threat of a Russian-imposed referendum (click here) on the fate of
Ukraine's Crimea region days away, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird
announced Canada will provide Ukraine with $220 million in an
international effort to restore economic stability to the country."Prime Minister Stephen Harper is announcing $220 million in additional measures to promote sustainable economic growth, democratic development, and good governance," Baird said during a news conference in Ottawa on Thursday.
The Canadian government deems the referendum an "illegitimate stunt" and will not recognize Sunday's referendum results, Baird said.
"We condemned and continue to condemn in the strongest of terms Russia's provocative and illegal military occupation of Crimea."...
KIEV, Ukraine — In a demonstration of support (click here) for Ukraine’s fledgling
government and a new swipe at Russia, Secretary of State John Kerry
visited Kiev on Tuesday with an offer of $1 billion in an American loan
guarantee and pledges of technical assistance.
Trudging
through a damp mist, Mr. Kerry stopped first for an emotional visit to
improvised memorials where protesters were gunned down last month as
they voiced opposition to what was then Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin
government.
Mr.
Kerry placed a lighted candle at one of the shrines, which were draped
with flowers and photographs of some of the victims; met with religious
leaders; and listened to Ukrainians who beseeched him for help....
