Medvedev: Syria, Ukraine and the economic crisis – an exclusive interview

[newthinking]

18. They did not invade Crimea. They were there already and have *always* had Military there

The media reinterprets events. However, the first "little green men" were Crimean Militia. It was only after the militia first stood up and the Parliment of "The Autonomous Republic of Crimea" declared the overthrow in Kiev unconstitutional and asked Russia to help secure the border that Russia stood up their forces there.

Certainly Russia was only too glad to assist. No doubt about that. But it was the events in Kiev that led to the entire thing. It was also the replacement of a MAJORITY party in Kiev (80% of Crimea was "Party Of Regions&quot was replaced by a government of MINORITY parties, most extreme or very extreme, that drove the people of Crimea to Russia.

34% is completely bullshit simply by common sense and knowing that the previous autonomy referendum was fully embraced and the polling (by US orgs) showed that the majority were happy with the results.

Yes there were likely some shenanigans. Clean elections are very difficult to enforce in all democracies. We have very severe issues with our own election honesty. But the Crimean referendum is backed by historical precident and party composition of the region.

I see these claims no different than I would if someone claimed that a solid blue state had some voting irregularities and that they had actually voted in a Republican President.