Merkel in favor of "continued partnership with Russia"

She criticized "the annexation of Crimea" as being "contrary to international law," and described the Russian policy as a return to the thinking of spheres of influence from the 19th century.

The usual, somewhat infantile, complaints about Russia not realising that the 21st century has no room for 'spheres of interest' is simple neo-liberal propaganda. All the major states,whether in the EU post modern imperium or not, regard Ukraine as their backyard and a land they should have dominance over.As far as Crimea was concerned Merkel and EU in general were quite content to the idea of joining Russia - but in public accuse Putin of breaking international law.The EU, of course, never wanted Crimea as part of Ukraine because it could not have accommodated the existing three way treaties and constitutional arrangements between that autonomous region,Ukraine and Russia.It's also good to see Merkel recognising the EU's limitations vis a vis Russia and comonig back to its senses.Considering the mess in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US/EU would struggle to play a game of snakes and ladders, never mind war games!

I think the world was far more worried when Germany annexed the Sudetenland and subsequently most of Europe. History lessons from this individual would appear rather inappropriate on this occasion.

Merkel is right. You can't shoot your way out of a problem with Russia. Russia has no issues with dealing out a few slaps here and there just like a school yard bully would to draw attention.
Bullies are looking for attention. They might think bullying is a way to be popular or to get what they want. Most bullies are trying to make themselves feel more important. When they pick on someone else, it can make them feel big and powerful.
Is this not unlike how Putin is behaving?
There are two things we can do; Either avoid or stand tall.
We can't avoid Putin but we can stand tall and be brave and that is a language, if not the only one, he understands and respects.
If we act united and bombard Russia with sanctions we can show him that the countries of the free world are not standing by in the face of oppression. Eventually he'll be missed like toothache.

She criticized "the annexation of Crimea" as being "contrary to international law," and described the Russian policy as a return to the thinking of spheres of influence from the 19th century.

The usual, somewhat infantile, complaints about Russia not realising that the 21st century has no room for 'spheres of interest' is simple neo-liberal propaganda. All the major states,whether in the EU post modern imperium or not, regard Ukraine as their backyard and a land they should have dominance over.As far as Crimea was concerned Merkel and EU in general were quite content to the idea of joining Russia - but in public accuse Putin of breaking international law.The EU, of course, never wanted Crimea as part of Ukraine because it could not have accommodated the existing three way treaties and constitutional arrangements between that autonomous region,Ukraine and Russia.It's also good to see Merkel recognising the EU's limitations vis a vis Russia and comonig back to its senses.Considering the mess in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US/EU would struggle to play a game of snakes and ladders, never mind war games!

I think the world was far more worried when Germany annexed the Sudetenland and subsequently most of Europe. History lessons from this individual would appear rather inappropriate on this occasion.

Merkel is right. You can't shoot your way out of a problem with Russia. Russia has no issues with dealing out a few slaps here and there just like a school yard bully would to draw attention.
Bullies are looking for attention. They might think bullying is a way to be popular or to get what they want. Most bullies are trying to make themselves feel more important. When they pick on someone else, it can make them feel big and powerful.
Is this not unlike how Putin is behaving?
There are two things we can do; Either avoid or stand tall.
We can't avoid Putin but we can stand tall and be brave and that is a language, if not the only one, he understands and respects.
If we act united and bombard Russia with sanctions we can show him that the countries of the free world are not standing by in the face of oppression. Eventually he'll be missed like toothache.