Ukraine! The Strength of Their Resilience and Weakness of Their State

The latest is interesting and exciting.

There has been shooting at Belbek in Crimea.  The Ukrainians refused to let the Russians roll in and fought back.  The Russians retreated and brought in company or two of armored fighting vehicles.  As to what happens next...its looking a bit grim.

Feodosia - the Ukrainian Marines - is looking VERY tense.  If the Ukrainian Marines are like our jarheads, I'd strongly recommend the occupiers stay as far away from their families as possible.  Give you hell would be an understatement.

There are reports of some of the Ukrainian naval ships attempting to break out.  No word on its success.  Probably not much.  More ships have been taken, of course.

Russia has admitted the sanctions are already biting.  A bond sale has been postponed due to the costs therein.

France is considering canceling the sale of the amphibious ships to Russia.  Germany has canceled contracts as well. Obama has given authority to cancel ones the US has as well.

The US is looking to increase its military support past rations.  Probably trucks and transport next, I'd guess.  

Ukraine signed the European Union association agreement.  Had Yankukovich done so, he'd likely still be president.

The IMF has stated they need a little longer to finish the negotiations with Ukraine and extended the deadline to the 25th.

Rumor has it Japan has ponied up $10 billion for infrastructure in Ukraine.  That needs confirmation and I have only seen that in Ukrainian sources.  If true, whoa.

Timoshenko has returned to Ukraine.  This is not a positive development.

There are trillions of rumors as to what's the next move in the chess game.  Your guess is as good as mine.  I place it at 50-50 whether or not Putin decides to get up from the table with his winnings.