COUP IN KYIV?

My question is; what exactly is an Autonomous Republic?

For a naval bas, you don't need just a harbour but the infrastructure as well ... especially, on the sea

It doesn't seem to me to be so important that Russia would want to drive Ukraine into the arms of NATO in order to keep it. And I don't see why the US cares about it at all.

Walter Hinteler wrote:

For a naval bas, you don't need just a harbour but the infrastructure as well ... especially, on the sea

Yes. But it is possible for other bases to be built.

It doesn't seem to me to be so important that Russia would want to drive Ukraine into the arms of NATO in order to keep it. And I don't see why the US cares about it at all.

oralloy wrote:

US installed this new Ukrainian government with ...

What are you talking about?

So, basically they are allowed to keep agreements with Russia even should Ukraine rescind the agreement to allow Russian access to its naval base?

As far as I understand it, the Russian bases in Crimea seem to have a similar status like e.g. US bases in Germany - we have nothing to say about it.

NATO is not going to invade Ukraine,

Pro Western Ukrainian leaders and the West can snivel, but that is about all they can do.

US diplomats were recorded discussing who should or shouldn't be in the new Ukrainian government, a couple weeks before the coup took place.

(Reuters) - China's top newspaper criticized the West on Thursday for remaining locked in a "Cold War mentality" against Russia in the contest for influence over Ukraine, calling for the shackles of such outmoded thinking to be cast off to deal with the crisis.

The commentary published in the People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, was the strongest reaction yet in Beijing to the rift between the West and Russia that has been growing since the ouster of Moscow's ally Viktor Yanukovich as president following weeks of protests.

"The theories related to politics, economics and security during the Cold War period are still influencing many people on their concept of the world, and some Western people are still imbued with resentment towards Russia," the paper said.

It called on Western countries to "abandon their outdated thinking" and expand cooperation.

"Ridding the shackles of the Cold War mentality will reduce unnecessary confrontation, thereby allowing for a smoother transition in international relations."

The commentary was published under the pen name "Zhong Sheng", meaning "Voice of China", which is often used to give the paper's view on foreign policy issues.

China and Russia have close ties and see eye-to-eye on many international diplomatic issues, such as the crisis in Syria.

China has so far shown little public interest in participating in any financial aid for Ukraine, or getting involved diplomatically, in line with the low key approach it takes to many international crises.

China's foreign ministry has said it will not interfere in what it considers an internal affair and that it respects the Ukrainian people's decisions, adding that it would like to continue to develop "friendly cooperation" with the country.

East-West tensions over Ukraine have risen further since Russian President Vladimir Putin put 150,000 combat troops on high alert for war games near Ukraine, Moscow's boldest gesture since the ouster of Yanukovich.

The United States warned Russia on Wednesday it would be a "grave mistake" to intervene militarily in Ukraine and said it was considering $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees and additional funding to help Kiev.

Yanukovich visited China in December in the hope of winning much-needed financial aid, but China did not say it would provide any loans. Yanukovich said deals signed with China may bring Ukraine about $8 billion in investment.

State news agency Xinhua said in December that Western powers should stop meddling in Ukraine's affairs and manipulating the "opinions of the people" about a trade pact with the European Union, just days after Yanukovich's visit to China.

Ukraine can join NATO.
The West can build a large airbase within spitting distance of Moscow.

And the distance to Moscow ... see the map

Ukraine can join NATO.

Well, that just seems horrible, they have to provide the launching place for their own invasion.

Since at least 2011, Putin is 're-ordering' the Russian sphere, geo-political influence etc completely new.

Without the Ukraine (and especially Crimea) that's impossible - from the Russian point of view.
The most recent developments crossed his plans - so he/they try to de-stabilise the Ukraine.
And that's what "the West" doesn't like, because ... they have similar ideas.