[deepsun]

> Invading Ukraine would be political and economical suicide for Putin and Russia

They did invade: Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. Was not a suicide for Putin, quite contrary, his political position within Russia has greatly improved.

[luc4]

Crimea was a referendum and Eastern Ukraine separatist rebels. Extent of russian involvement aside, there is a difference between that and an all-out invasion.

[sAbakumoff]

>> Crimea was a referendum

They occupied the territory first and then conducted the "referendum" to make it "legal". Don't buy this horsesht.

[caskstrength]

If they occupy Kyiv, there would also be all kinds of "referendums" and "local militias" with predictable results. It is not like anyone remotely pro-Ukrainian will stay and vote under watchful eye of friendly uniformed people (that don't wear any identifying insignia).

[alkonaut]

> Crimea was a referendum

Ok stop. This isn’t intellectually honest argumentation.

[twelve40]

Right, somehow, Kosovo is totally different.

[alkonaut]

What on earth has Kosovo got to do with this now then? Is it whataboutism? What is it?

There have not been any free/observed/internationally recognized referendums on Crimea. Most importantly, the referendum wasn't with blessing from Kyiv.

There was an annexaction which was partially done with military means and partially through a mock referendum. Both of those are blatant attacks on Ukrainian soverieignty.

[twelve40]

Kosovo has 100% to do with this, friend. In case you are genuinely curious: The "West" has decided that Kosovo suddenly must be independent, and they bombed the shit out of Serbia (6mil pop, tiny) on a pretext that somehow this just HAS to be a separate entity. They didn't even bother with, as you say, a "mock referendum"!! Now the same people come lecturing about borders and sovereignty, and referendums, sounds cheap as shit.