Griffin Johnston, 4th period, U.S. response to Russia's military intervention in the Ukraine

            An article on FoxNews.com reports on the response of the U.S. and other western countries towards Russia’s bold military actions and involvement in the Ukraine. Obama and his administration are said to take economic and diplomatic actions toward Russia to “isolate them.” Multiple politicians, Congressmen, Cabinet members, etc. have stated that military intervention is unlikely. Russia’s recent intervention in the Ukrain Crimean Peninsula, has consisted of 16,000 Russian soldiers on Ukranian soil. U.N. officials stated there is “no justification” for Russia’s actions and that it is a “violation of international law.” Vladimir Putin was said to have received a letter from the removed Ukraine President asking for military help. The U.S. is said to be considering imposing sanctions on Russia such as freezing all Russian assets in the U.S. (meaning any investments or money that Russia has in the U.S. cannot be withdrawn by Russia) as well as trade suspensions.

            The Crimean Peninsula is an important area for Russia, the Ukraine, and Western Europe because of Russian oil exports having to pass through this area to get to Western European Nations. However, as the U.N officials have said, there is “no justification for Russia’s actions.” There was also a response to Russian U.N. Ambassador’s claim that the Ukraine had asked for Russia’s military help that said the claims were “without basis in reality” and “self-serving.” Any rash military action such as mobilizing 16,000 troops in a neighboring country will always engender suspicion and, especially with a country such as Russia, disapproval. As far as the U.S.’s response, it is interesting to correlate this to U.S. relations with Japan before WWII. FDR, in response to Japan’s refusal to withdraw from territories in different parts of South Asia, froze all of Japan’s assets in America and put an embargo on oil exports to Japan. This “sanction” or influencing through economic means, was one of the major influences of Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of WWII. These sanctions are very similar to the ones that the U.S. could possibly impose on Russia. However, it is also important to remember that the U.S. has, in the past, unrightfully acquired territory from another country (i.e. the Spanish American War, the Mexican, American War). Lastly, even though on the surface it might seem as though a country is trying to gain more power in the world by occupying more territory, the motive almost always has its roots in acquiring more resources for a struggling people and economy. Russia’s economy and peoples are certainly experiencing struggles, and though this does not justify there actions, the leaders of the world need to remember this so that a compromise can be more easily met.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/03/obama-threatens-to-isolate-russia-on-ukraine-though-few-back-military-option/