By Yuri Butusov, Contributing editor to Censor.net
Translated by Marina Grip
Edited by Voices of Ukraine
Source: https://www.facebook.com/topaz.salat/posts/725029784203987

Why has Moscow declared its willingness to negotiate?
There is only one reason: Putin is trying to buy time.

It was not the sanctions that scared him, he’s scared of the high mobilization readiness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is scared by the quick response forces moving towards Crimea. Because in the case of the Ukrainian troops’ anti-terrorist operations, the “little green men” will not be able to keep Crimea. The “fortified areas” at Chonhar and Perekop only look menacing in the media reports – any military person understands that these APCs and tanks openly standing in the fields will only survive till the first volley from the “Hurricane” and howitzers, until the first flight of the Mi-24. These are clear targets. It is simply impossible for the Russian fighters to fight the regular army in the steppe landscape of northern Crimea. And when the army does enter Crimea, we will see that just as no one in Kyiv wanted to die for bandit Yanukovych, so will there be no one willing to die for the bandit Aksenov in Crimea. Our army can only be stopped by the Russian army. But there is no Russian army in Crimea! And there cannot be any, otherwise Putin becomes the real aggressor and warmonger.

The conclusion is: we should continue the negotiations with Moscow. But the army should enter Crimea. Clear away the terrorists. Arrest the separatists. They should not have the slimmest chance at legitimizing the coup. At the same time, offer the people of Crimea the second phase of the political reform and the empowerment of the local government. To really expand the powers of both Crimea and other regions, and without any referendums. The constitutional order in Crimea must be restored BEFORE March 16.