Ukraine's European Revolution?

[Valmy]

Austrian paper Die Presse quotes Russian agency Ria Novosti that the Russian parliament is to vote on a law that would make the addition of foreign territory easier; a referendum of the local populace would be sufficient.

They should let a Neutral party like the United States supervise the referendum

[derspiess]

Austrian paper Die Presse quotes Russian agency Ria Novosti that the Russian parliament is to vote on a law that would make the addition of foreign territory easier; a referendum of the local populace would be sufficient.

Good opportunity for countries across the world to get rid of territory they don't want

[Grinning_Colossus]

Armenia has to deal with the fact that it can't trade with either of the countries on it's border, both of whom want it's entire population dead.

Well fortunately the benevolent nations of Iran and Georgia also border Armenia.

Armenia has good relations with Iran. All that matters to them is that they're on their side against the Azerbaijan-Turkey axis. Relations with Georgia are okay but can't get too cozy because of Russia, Georgia's economic relationship with Azerbaijan and Turkey, and Georgians' reflexive hatred of Armenians.

[Sheilbh]

I don't think you can say Ukraine's ungovernable given their impressively disciplined response to a lot of provocation. Actually speaks rather well of their civil-military position if nothing else.

[derspiess]

I don't think you can say Ukraine's ungovernable given their impressively disciplined response to a lot of provocation. Actually speaks rather well of their civil-military position if nothing else.

Or it speaks to just knowing you have no chance at winning.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

might as well make a bigger mess of the situation: Have Ukraine extend citizenship to Tatars elsewhere!

[alfred russel]

Georgia is actually doing okay-ish.  Armenia has to deal with the fact that it can't trade with either of the countries on it's border, both of whom want it's entire population dead.  The Baltics are great.  Who expected much from Central Asia?

Georgia was the country I was thinking of when I said Ukraine was 2nd best.

Nominal per capita income of former Soviet States (ignoring the central asian ones, all values from wikipedia):
Estonia: 18,127
Lithuania: 16,600
Latvia: 15,991
Russia: 15,717
Azerbaijan: 7,850
Belarus: 6,739
Ukraine: 3,862
Georgia: 3,596
Armenia: 3,334
Moldova: 2,037

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

From what I've read, Russia is still not owning up to their airport shenanigans.

And apparently they are using a PMC to make that easier:

Exclusive: Russian 'Blackwater' Takes Over Ukraine Airport

The troops who have taken over two airports in Crimea are not Russian military, but they could be security contractors working for the Russian military, and they are there to stay.

Private security contractors working for the Russian military are the unmarked troops who have now seized control over two airports in the Ukrainian province of Crimea, according to informed sources in the region. And those contractors could be setting the stage for ousted President Viktor Yanukovich to come to the breakaway region.

The new Ukrainian government in Kiev has accused Moscow of "an armed invasion and occupation" in the Crimean cities of Simferopol and Sevastopol, where well-armed and well-organized troops with no markings or identification have taken control of the airports. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Secretary of State John Kerry over the phone Friday that no Russian military or marines have been deployed outside of the base of the Black Sea Fleet, which is anchored nearby, officials in both governments said.

Lavrov was technically telling the truth, but the troops are being directed by the Russian government. Although not confirmed, informed sources in Moscow are telling their American interlocutors that the troops belong to Vnevedomstvenaya Okhrana, the private security contracting bureau inside the Russian interior ministry that hires mercenaries to protect Russian Navy installations and assets in Crimea. Other diplomatic sources said that the troops at the airport were paramilitary troops but not specifically belonging to Vnevedomstvenaya Okhrana.

Read the rest at the Beast, you lazy gits.

[Valmy]

Easy access to Europe seems to be the primary determinant of wealth...well except for Moldova I have no explanation there.

[alfred russel]

Easy access to Europe seems to be the primary determinant of wealth...well except for Moldova I have no explanation there.

Their access is Romania. 

[Crazy_Ivan80]

and a chunck is occupied by Russia (Transniestra)

[Razgovory]

I wonder where Seedy is.  He's normally bouncing off the walls when this kind of news comes in.

[DGuller]

Why?  So far both the Ukrainian-speaking cats and the Russian-speaking cats have been saying clear of the conflict, and evidently not giving much shit about it.

[alfred russel]

Easy access to Europe seems to be the primary determinant of wealth...well except for Moldova I have no explanation there.

Russia is quite high though. So is Azerbaijan (relatively speaking). I think massive fossil fuel exploitation is the other factor.

If I pulled in the central asian countries:

Kazakhstan 11,772
Turkmenistan 4,658
Uzbekistan 1,780
Kyrgyzstan 1,070
Tajikistan 831

[derspiess]

I wonder where Seedy is.  He's normally bouncing off the walls when this kind of news comes in.

I think he's been busy collecting blankets & supplies for cats affected by the unrest.