Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko shakes hands with lawmakers after a vote on his proposal to introduce martial law, after Russia seized Ukrainian naval ships off the coast of Russia-annexed Crimea, during a parliament session in Kiev, Ukraine November 26, 2018. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Bonnie Kristian, National Interest: Don't Gear up for War with Russia
Answering aggression with aggression would be unwise.
No sooner did news break of Russia’s seizure of three Ukrainian naval ships in the Black Sea than speculation began on how the United States and Western Europe would respond.
President Trump expressed general displeasure, telling reporters Monday his administration is “working on it” with European allies and expressing hope “it’ll get straightened out.” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley was more specific, declaring the move an “unlawful” and “outrageous violation of sovereign Ukrainian territory” by Moscow. National security commentators recommended deployment of U.S. and NATO ships to prevent further Russian action while expanding Western military presence in the region more broadly. They also wanted Washington to impose new sanctions and oil embargoes, including upping military aid to Ukraine. In short: gear up for war and cross your fingers Russia will flinch.
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WNU Editor: If the West wants to use Ukraine as the reason to prepare for war against Russia ..... the West is going to lose. Ukraine is a deeply divided country with a President that has little if any public support within the country. To rush to Ukraine President Poroshenko's side to defend his policies and decisions will be irresponsible and a rush to disaster. And to confront Russia on an issue that the Kremlin sees as one of its top national security priorities .... in the battle of wills the Kremlin will not bend, irregardless of the cost. I cannot say the same about the West.