Putin's Fairytales

 

Secretary Kerry's on a visit to Ukraine

Where he'll be a welcome guest when he gets off his plane,

Since Kiev is hoping that he'll promise lethal aid;

Weapons meant to counter recent gains that rebels made.

Eastern Ukraine's rebel forces, armed with Russian guns,

Plus an unknown number of poor Mother Russia's sons,

Started bombing towns - anticipating an attack -

Pushing forward in the knowledge Putin has their back.

Now that he controls what Russian media dares say,

Putin won't let little things like truth get in the way.

He's convinced his population that it's worth the pain

Sanctions are inflicting 'cause they're "rescuing" Ukraine.

Putin says that Russian aid is sent to help the poor;

That the big, bad West is slavering at Russia's door.

This time though, when Kerry's in the Russian news tonight

Putin's story that we're intervening might be right.

Smuggling Drivers

 

Russian trucks have crossed the border; entering Ukraine.

Putin says they're full of things like medicines and grain.

Kiev doesn't trust him - they suspect a Trojan Horse -

But they cannot stop the Russians without using force.

I don't blame Ukrainians for thinking it's a trick

Still, I must admit, this latest move is pretty slick.

Can you bomb 300 trucks that claim they're bringing aid?

And, how is it Russia's fault if all those drivers stayed?

They'd be reinforcements for the troops already there;

Russian men who "volunteered" to fight - because they care.

Putin's up to something - you can tell it from his smirk -

And I am afraid that his invasion plan might work.

Food Fight!

 

Russian troops are massing on the border of Ukraine.

Putin says they won't invade; they're only there to train.

Recent incidents are making Putin hard to trust.

NATO fears his plans are more like; Sloviansk or bust.

Now we're in a food fight with him; Western imports banned.

Russians, used to fresh produce, will soon be eating canned.

Russia's also threatening its air space could be closed.

It's retaliation for the sanctions we imposed.

Some have called this Cold War II but, if you ask Ukraine

Or the people killed aboard a passenger airplane,

There is nothing cold about it... Stakes could not be higher

For the people standing in the line of Putin's fire.

Russians Go Home

Thousands of Russian troops are returning to their bases.  (Photo/Courtesy of defensenews.com)

Russian troops, withdrawing from the borders of Ukraine,

Realized what anyone with even half a brain

Figured out a week ago; they do not need to fight.

Might as well go home before more sanctions start to bite.

Kiev won't try that again...  Their newest oligarch,

Petro Poroshenko, knows he's swimming with a shark.

Clearer than a nose upon a face, they've made their point.

Russians don't want our proboscis further out of joint.

We don't have to like it but the facts of life are these;

If your army's big enough you may do as you please.

Threaten an invasion and your neighbors will be daunted...

Just ask Mr. Putin, who got everything he wanted.

The Putin Doctrine

(Photo/Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)

Putin is preparing to invade Eastern Ukraine;

Calculating sanctions will be worth the land he'll gain.

Europe doesn't want the Russians cutting off their gas,

Making more effective sanctions difficult to pass.

John McCain believes Obama should send lethal aid;

Which, I fear, could be the worst mistake we've ever made.

That would only give Kiev false hope we'd joined their fight

And they could depend upon our military's might.

That's not gonna happen... Plus, our sending weapons there,

Still won't change the outcome.  It's a fight that's hardly fair.

Most of Russia sides with Putin...  Russia's pretty big;

Meaning Putin wields a club while Kiev waves a twig.

Short of using NATO forces, Putin's gonna win.

NATO doesn't want a war and won't send forces in.

Any lethal aid we sent could only make things worse;

Putin's actions aren't the kind our weapons would reverse.

Kiss Crimea Good-bye

Situation in Ukraine is getting out of hand;

Ethnic Russians in the East have started to demand

That Kiev should look to Russia over the E.U.

Putin sent in Russian troops to help enforce that view.

All of Russia's Black Sea fleet is anchored in Ukraine;

Port was part of Russia, once, and so it might remain.

Residents are demonstrating; flying Russian flags.

Tearing down and ripping the Ukrainian's to rags.

Putin says his troops have only come to keep the peace.

So, he keeps on sending more as tensions there increase.

I don't think that I'd feel safe with soldiers in the street,

Knowing Russia's never gonna move its Black Sea fleet.

Not a lot Ukraine can do if Putin wants a fight.

He's a strong believer in the adage; "Might makes right."

Ask the folks in Georgia how much safer they feel now

8 years after Putin's troops invaded...  Yet, somehow,

All those Russian troops in Georgia didn't end the threat...

Surely that's the reason why they've not withdrawn them yet.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if Putin finds that he

Thinks Crimea faces threats in perpetuity.

Ukraine - I Hate It When I'm Right.

Police come under attack when attempting to clear Kiev's streets.  (Photo/Courtesy of Gigapica)

Kiev's Independence Square had fireworks last night;

Demonstrators using them as weapons in their fight.

Viktor Yanukovych sent police to clear the square.

More than 20 people died in heavy fighting there.

Could become a civil war if violence doesn't stop,

If more demonstrators die, or kill another cop.

I predicted this would happen in a rhyme last week,

Said it was an option Yanukovych had to seek.

He'd be facing charges for corruption should he lose,

Plus an angry Putin...  Glad I'm not in Viktor's shoes.

Russia sent advisors in but their advice has sucked.

I'm afraid Ukrainians are seriously....  ahem...  in trouble.

Russia needs to step aside, let Yanukovych fall, 

Just accept that who Ukraine allies with ain't their call.

Viktor's out of options now 'cause, either way, he's screwed.

(Please forgive my language - I'm not usually so lewd.)

(Political cartoon courtesy of artist Christo Komarnitski)

Viktor Yanukovych - Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Protestors on the streets of Kiev. (Photo/Courtesy of democraticunion.eu)

 Victor Yanukovych is the leader of Ukraine

Although, it's in question how much longer he'll remain.

Kiev's streets have burning tire-barricades at night;

Protests have continued as more people join the fight.

Most want the Ukrainians aligned with the E.U.;

Something that the Russians would prefer Ukraine not do.

Putin put the pressure on and Yanukovych caved.

Viktor said he had to; the economy was saved.

Protests broke out right away and they're still going on.

Now the calls are growing; they want Yanukovych gone.

What with all the history Ukraine and Russia share,

More than half the people want the hell away from there.

They believe their future lies with nations to the West;

Emigres from Russia think that looking East is best.

Viktor's only chance right now of staying on the job

Lies in turning them into another angry mob.

Hope it doesn't come to that, but I'm afraid it might.

Left hand, civil war - or else there's Putin on his right.

Deep in debt to Russia  (he's already cashed their check)

Pity Viktor Yanukovych...  I bet he's a wreck.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo/Courtesy of aimlesshorse.com)