I'll try to answer, Law. The Ukraine and the Baltic States were never really a part of Russia in terms of language or ethnicity. Poland became a part of the USSR as the result of WWII. Before then, it was Prussia/Germany. What will they do? I suspect they'll do whatever they believe is in their best interests. The Ukraine wants to be a part of the EU and NATO.

Your next question is unclear since neither the Ukraine nor the Baltic nations seem to have any national ties to Georgia other than geographical.

I don't think other 'client' states will do a thing--no more so than will the US or the EU. Will this be a 'missed opportunity' by those states who want to stem the tide of the growing resurgence of Russia? I honestly don't know.

Northern Osetia apparently considers itself a part of Russia and, if you look at the boundaries, geographically, ethnically and linguistally, it is.

So, should Georgia give it up to Russia?

Isn't that like saying southern New Mexico and southern California should go back to Mexico?

Eastern part of Ukraine is a Russian territory. Stalin created new boarders in USSR and actual events are rooted out of it. Crimea was given to Ukraine in 1956 by Khrushchev (ethnic Ukrainian). Estonia and Latvia have never been independent until the great October Revolution. Once upon a time they belonged to Sweden. Peter the Great defeated Sweden in 1721 and got this land. As for language, there are a lot of nations with their own languages in Russia (249 or somewhat).



Poland has never been a part of USSR. After WWII spheres of influence were devided between USA and USSR. USA gave money to Western Europe, but USSR gave money and resources to Eastern.
But Poland was a part of Russian Empire and they got independence after the Great October Revolution. They used their independence to occupy Western Ukraine, which became a part of USSR in 1939.

And we need your Russian history, Elena, in order to try to sort out what's happening now.

Not so sure...Elena's version does not exactly comport with the versions I learned. Its an interesting tangent but not one directly related to the thread here. Personally, I think the former clinet states are in a position where they must either act to assert their independence or else accept falling back into the Russian sphere. Despite Elena's belief in pro-Russian solidarity there, those nations DO NOT want to fall under Russia's thumb yet again. It will be interesting to see how they react.

If they don't want to fall, again, under Russia's 'thunb,' then they shouldn't. They have a taste of what it's like to not be. Everything seems to indicate that, except for the Northerm Ostesia, people would rather not be a part of Russia.

Put it in detail, please. I don't understand what you are talking about.
Historical background or contemporary events?
Pro-Russian solidarity? I haven't said it. Anti-Georgian solidarity. It also took place while Abkhazians were throwing away Georgians from their territory. Don’t you know that vendetta is a common thing in Caucasus?
People who have relatives in Georgia say that Georgians are very angry at Saakashvily. His awful and stupid action will turn into great troubles to the Georgian population.

Yes, they want to be independent, but they need cooperation with Russia. For example, if Rusia would not buy Abkhazian tangerines and visit their resorts, they would be very poor.

Interesting that Russia is sending troops into Georgia proper. It is launching air strikes on Georgia proper. It is massing troops in Abkhazia. It has blockaded the Georgian Black Sea coast. It has attacked the capital city's airport. It has attacked port facilities in Georgia. It has attack the Georgian oil terminal.

It seems pretty clear to me that Russia is making a blatant territorial grab at Georgian expense...something it has been doing for quite some time with its involvement in South Ossetia and in Abkhazia. I wonder how long before Russia decides to reassert its claims to the territory of other former client states...

Law, if one can believe the newspaper reports, Georgia started it. Be that as it may, Russia has lost no time in jumping into Georgian affairs.


But, let's face it, isn't it really all about the oil pipeline?

West recognized South Ossetia as part of Georgia, though it has never been a part of it, without referendum, in spite of genocide of Ossetinians during centuries. Russian peacekeepers are at the territory of South Ossetia absolutely legally. Georgian army attacked them and killed 15 of peacekeepers. Thus Russia has right to send troop there.
The worse thing is that Georgian army killed civilians, using anti-aircraft gun. They attacked civilians while they were sleeping in their houses. Russia couldn’t defend them immediately, because of international law. What was the reaction of the West? It seems that they desired the entire elimination of Ossetinian population of South Ossetia. No Ossetinians – no problems.



Should Russia allow Georgia to get new weapon and troops? Russia doesn’t kill civilians. I know that 7 people were killed in Poti sea-port, but it was accidentally.



I wonder what NATO military advisers do in Georgia and why bodies of Black soldiers are found.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia will never be a part of Georgia, they will be independent.