Putin signs treaty to annex Crimea, ignores US sanctions, critics target John Kerry’s attack on Mitt Romney
Voters spoke in Crimea as support to leave Ukraine and become part of the Russian federation moved forward as Vladimir Putin signed a treaty on Tuesday to annex the divided region.
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US and EU officials are voicing their concern, but the Crimean parliament is formally changing the territory’s name to the Republic of Crimea and convert their currency to the Russian ruble.
Some say the so-called referendum held in Crimea was conducted under illegal military occupation.
Jim DeMint, president of The Heritage Foundation wrote in The Foundry, “Simply put, the Kremlin’s lawlessness has now jeopardized one of the most stable spheres of peace and prosperity on the planet. We not only have to be concerned about the future of freedom in the Ukraine, but Russia’s dark shadow on the transatlantic partnership.”
In response to the unilateral move, the Obama administration imposed sanctions on more than 2,000 Russian officials, but some commentators say the retort is too little and too late.
Critics are attacking John Kerry for his comments aimed at then Presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Russia during the 2008 campaign.
“A few months ago when you were asked what’s the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia, Not Al Qaida. You said Russia…the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because the Cold War’s been over for 20 years” and again at the DNC “…but not Mitt Romney. He’s even blurted out the preposterous notion that Russia is our ‘number one geopolitical foe.’ Folks: Sarah Palin said she could see Russia from Alaska; Mitt Romney talks like he’s only seen Russia by watching Rocky IV.”
Mr. Romney, you critique, but do not present specifics of what you would have done.
[…] in the Crimean port of Sevastopol and raised their flag on Wednesday. Russia has moved quickly to make Crimea part of Russia after the overwhelming vote last […]