i have friends in sevastopol ,more like family now after 15 yrs.it worries me very much i dont like to see this stuff going on cos in the end its all about money it always is, and my fiancee lives in kiev i see the stress there too.. calm down Putin and Yushenko please stop hurting the people

anthony, poole, uk

It is well publized that the Ukrainian constitution does not allow any foriegn bases on its land, not Russian, not American and not Nato. We should stop gas to Europe to make them get out now. Maybe loosing millions will wake them up because we can play dirty too if it is needed.

Bill, Lviv, Ukraine

It is up to Ukraine if they want to Join Nato or Not, but with Russian strong arm tactics of cutting gas supplies, playing dirty politics and do everything possible to interfere with the politics of the country, why would they expect any negotiations about keeping the Black sea fleet here.

Bill, Lviv, Ukraine

Russia annexed five times the ammount of land from eastern Ukraine and eastern Black Sea areas than was returned to it in the form of Crimea. Would Russia be willing to trade back and to remove all Russian population from these areas?

Yash, Cleveland, USA

After the precedent of new country created by NATO inside sovereign Serbia, there is nothing which may prevent Russia to create statelets in the former territory of USSR, where majority of population has Russian passports. And this of course includes Crimea and Abhazia and other regions.

R Weiss, St Petersburg, Russia

Ukraine yes in N.A.T.O but Georgia no.Enlarging N.A.T.O is only at Russia expense., the Russians are not that ignorant as not to understand that much.
Western Europe must be content with what they have now,look for no more troubles,accept only Kosova and close the membership invitation book.

L.A. ISUFI, Bergen County.N.J, United States

Andy from LA it was not Abkhazians on their own who forced Georgians out of the region. It was with strong military assistance from Russia that forced Gerogians from Abkhazia. and that is a FACT.

Tornike, London, UK

Hopefully Russia will once and for all put an end to the Pro-Nazi Western Ukranian provocations. First they try to land NATO Troops in Crimean soil and now they try to evict Russia from its historic base. Fools. For all people taking the pro Nato and Ukraine view, how foolish and blind you are.

Dan, Philadelphia, USA

The naval forces of Ukraine and NATO will definitely replace the russian 'navy' in Sevastopyl prior to 2017. It's inevitable...just like the destruction of the former soviet union. The kremlin can cry all it wants - russia will face continued implosion.

Hryhoriy, Washinton, D.C., United States

Facts:

1. Crimea was a direct part (oblast) of Russia only between 1945 and 1954, when Stalin expelled most of Crimean authoctone Tatar population to the Uzbek SSR;

2. Russia had a different stance in the Yeltsin era: the Black Sea Fleet would be relocated to Novorossiysk without major problems.

Guy of Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil

Crimea was gifted to Ukraine unconstitutionally. Crimea wants to be reunited with Russia. East Ukraine wants to grant Galitsia (West Ukraine) full independence to get it and it's "orange" government off Ukrainian back.

As for Sevastopol -- it's Russian territory that NEVER belonged to Ukraine!

Elena, Bed's,

Considering that the TOTAL population of Abkhazia was 525,000 in 1989, before Georgia started war, it makes it somewhat difficult for Abhazians to "drive 300000 Georgians from their homes in 1992 and to murder many more," as rach from Reading, UK claimed below.

Andy, Los Angeles,

I don't think that Abkhazia deserves to be independent - they drove 300000 Georgians from their homes in 1992 and murdered many more. It is absolutely tragic that Georgia is being forced to choose an imperialist, expansionist Nato to protect itself from an imperialist Russia.

rach, reading, UK

I can understand the Russians' paranoia though - Nato and the USA do seem to want to "encircle" it with military bases and such like. And it's quite funny to see Nato talking about territorial integrity after what they've just done to Serbia.

rach, reading, UK

Russia is an evil empire again, like it or not.
Therefore, it must be contained.

George, SFBA, U.S.A.

Russia has had a paranoid outlook for hundreds of years. Do they really think the west is going to attack them at this point in history? Come to think of it, why don't they think of Russia as being a part of the west? Give up the paranoia! The old workers wonderland is gone for good.

Brian Barton, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, USA

It seems to me that an existential crisis is what we have here. Ukraine must join NATO in order to break all links with Russia and assert its nationhood (see Yushenko's latest statements). For Russians, in their hearts of hearts, Ukraine is not a nation. A recipe for an existential ruthless war!

Alexander Montes, New York , United States

The Russians will just have to leave on good terms or the Ukraine will definitely jump into bed with Nato - Russia has failed to learn that you don't make friend with threats, you make highly motivated enemies. Remember cutting off the Ukraine's gas supply 2 years ago? That probably hasn't helped!!!

Richard, Ireland,

After the violent crackdown of political opponents in Georgia on 7/11, shutting down independent TV station and failing to run election processes according to international standards.

I don’t think at this stage Georgia deserves to be rewarded by EU or NATO

Tom Klan, London, UK

Russia doesnt want to leave Ukraine alone, and it will be till Ukraine goes to Nato. Why thay dont talk about tatar man, only they have to live in Crimea. And what about nuclear bombs for russia from Ukraine, may be we can starrt now make new bombs for russians big brother!

alex, Nikolaev, Ukraine

Britain, Gibraltar. Russia, Sevastopol'. Let's be careful how we posture.
What is Russia supposed to do? Lie on her back while NATO tickles her underbelly? Right or wrong, put yourself in her position.
For as long as Mediterranean fleets are deemed necessary, this argument will not go away.

Mike L, Chippenham, Wilts

It's funny how Russia still thinks they can manipulate the information by simply denying or ignoring facts. They used to do this during the Soviet times to their own people. And they are trying to do this currently to everyone in the world. I really hope it's not going to work.

Geoff, London, UK

I would add to what Denis said below, that not only Russian Crimea was given to Ukraine by a Ukrainian leader of USSR, but it was also done against Constitution, because there was no referendum on this among people of Crimea. Furthermore, Sevastopol was not part of Crimea, it had separate status.

Andy, Los Angeles,

Robert,

If you're such a lover of the dicatator in Russia, why not move there?

Russia already has US warships at it's front door. They are called ballistic missile subs.

It doesn't matter if Russia targets missiles at Ukraine. We have Russia covered from the USA.

Kevin, Vladivostok,

Perhaps Americans should return Alaska to Russia because poor Russia feels so insecure these days. Instead of fearing the west or their smaller neighbors Russians should watch their backside and transfer most of their military to the far east because their future prospects there look pretty dim.

Al, Edmonton , Canada

"a Russian fighter shot down a Georgian spy drone over Abkhazia " "(Georgian) Interior Minister: Russia pushing Abkhazia into confrontation"
Huh? Weren't those (7)GEORGIAN SPY drones flying over Abkhazia in the first place? Not exactly an act of peace by Georgia!
Russia has a UN mandate in Abkhazia

Mike, Moscow, Russia

You know its quite annoying to watch the EU and usa say that everything that communist did is a crime, but Russia we says - ok, the communist illegally gave away our land to others please return it, the sudden reluctance starts. And you say that you don't have double standards?

Ignas616, Estonia,

Russian plans to reincarnate the Russian empire should be broken once and for all by affirming Georgian and Ukrainian pro-western choice. It is good for Russia to be deprived of its imperial aspirations, it is good for its neighbours and it is good for the world.Timidity with Putin is wrong strategy

Valeriy Dzutsev, Hyattsville, US

Sevastopol is a Russian city and the Crimea was given to Ukraine by Ukrainian leader of USSR.

Denis, Moscow, Russia

All population of Krimea for Russia (except Krimea Tatar) and bear in mind that Krimea was part of Russian Federation till 1954 when it was granted to Ukraine.
So Russian is no longer super power and not threatenning western world so what the purpouse of enlangement of Nato to East.
Russia right

Alex, Kremenchug, Ukraine

Khruschev gave Crimea to Ukraine some 50 years ago, though over 90% of population are ethnic Russians. Why Ukraine cannot agknowledge the fact that the historical unjustice was done.
Why don't they reach some sort of compromise - let Ukraine keep Crimea, but let Russia keep Sevastopol?

Alex, Canberra , Australia

Sevastopol is a Ukrainian city on Ukrainian national territory. If I was President Yushenko, I would also be doing all I could to stop Russia's neo-imperialist gangsters (and that is what they are) from retaking the country. Russia simply cannot imagine itself without Ukraine but it will have to.

Benedict Carter, Moscow, Russia

russia is right sevastopolis is russias teritory
if we pushing nato expansion is like we try to encircle ruusia some way nato has to stop
nato is not neded anymore must be desolved

paris georgakakis, south milweaukee, usa

Russia should absolutely keep the navy base. If Russia backs down, it will have American warships at its front door, Russia must never allow this to happen. Russia must hold the port, by force if necessary. If Russia concedes the port, it will live to regret it for ever.

Robert, Christchurch, New Zealand