I've recently heard one poster here claim that Russia was peaceful today and only defensive; so I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread about it. I will just start by posting a link to an article in the IHT, and a YouTube video provided by one of the Mods here:

Georgia accuses Russia of promoting war in Abkhazia - International Herald Tribune

What do you think?

__________________
"History, Stephen said, is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake" - Ulysses, James Joyce.

Georgian UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) shot down by a Russian Mig-29

__________________
"History, Stephen said, is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake" - Ulysses, James Joyce.

Depends on your definition of "peaceful and defensive". I don't think Russia is going to start any wars anytime soon, but I have no doubts as to Russia's ability to make Machiavelli proud.

I *think* that Russia feels (with, perhaps, some justification) that its been ignored and treated *searches for the right word* not really unfairly, but I'll run with that, by Europe and the US.

As a result it appears they're pursuing a passive-agressive foreign that goes down a treat at home and makes people abroad sit up and take notice.

Sticking point for most brits is Litvenenko, but the little border games (if indeed it is Russia playing them, which seems likely) are starting to look similar to those the Tsars played in the Balkans.

__________________
Sarcasm is the lowest form of humour but humour, apparently, is the highest form of wit.

You think?

peaceful ?!

Hell no!

ack Tjetenia!

__________________
largest financial fraud in human history...

Federal Reserve Endorses Bear Stearns Bailout Plan

Im still in shock

Belive me, country lost over 35 000 000 people in WWII knows a cost of war. Those of Russian who forgot it remembered it in 1980's (USSR's invasion to Afganistan). We are tired of wars and won't start another one (excepted cases of threats to our safety)
We are, probably, not a well-democracy country but we try to integrate The West (we haven't any problems with our eastern partners). Don't threaten and drive us out and you'll see we become a good democracy in next 20-30 years

My dear Parisyann, could you tell me what did Georgian spy UAV do in the zone protected by Russian peacemakers?
Besides Migs-29 are on guard in Georgian and Abchazian armyes too. And the video doesn't show that it was really Russian.

Abchazian army with Mig-29? You must be joking...
Why do Russians always look for excuses? Whats the problem with saying it was above protected zone so we shot it down?

__________________
No loyalty towards the EU.

In Russia is freedom of speech. In America is also freedom after speech. -- Yakov Smirnoff

You're late! Abchazia already (right after have shot down) said it was their Mig! But don't worry if it would have been an alert to our peacemakers we'd shoot it down. But it wasn't an alert and it was not our business.
P.S. Yaro is a shortened name of Yaroslav?

That's an intelligent comment, ssorov, thank you. We all know the cost of war here and I don't think any European country, including Russia, is willing to pay such high price anymore. Definitely I think Russia is on its way to integrating the West and this is good news. Ambermosquito has raised a few good points however showing that Russia's good intentions don't necessarily match what it does. For example I agree with Jaro when he says there was no need to shoot down the Georgian UAV, it wasn't doing any harm. I don't know what it did there but it is still Georgian territory as far as I know. What's wrong with taking pictures?

__________________
"History, Stephen said, is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake" - Ulysses, James Joyce.

As I've said already it was not Russian but Abchazian aircraft. We are not against peaceful taking pictures too. May be Abchazia thought it was not for peaceful aims. I don't know. We just look to such accidents not to lead to a war in this region.