According to today’s The New York Times:
“Russia has roughly doubled the number of its battalions near the Ukrainian border ….
Over the past several weeks, Russia has built up 17 battalions – totaling 19,000 to 21,000 troops, according to one Western estimate – into a battle-ready force of infantry, armor, artillery and air defense within a few miles of the border. In addition, it has vastly expanded its firepower, increasing the number of advanced surface-to-air missile units to 14 from eight, and deploying more than 30 artillery batteries, according to the officials. …
Adding to the concern, the buildup coincides with a newly announced Russian air force and air defense exercise. When it intervened in Crimea this year, Russia used a military exercise to mask its preparations.”
And what has been the United States’ response? Again, according to The New York Times:
“Even as tensions have grown, Mr. Obama has signaled his interest in a political solution. In a call Friday to Mr. Putin, Mr. Obama ‘reinforced his preference for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine’ and agreed to keep open ‘the channels of communication,’ the White House said in a statement.
Mr. Obama also repeated his ‘deep concerns about Russia’s increased support for the separatists in Ukraine,’ the White House said.”
Wow, that should scare President Putin. According to General Wesley Clark, former NATO commander, President Putin “has set the military and political conditions for what he believes could be a successful intervention, But he still doesn’t seem to have made the political decision to do this, perhaps because he recognizes that the risks after an intervention are incalculable.” I can see General Clark’s point. If President Putin invades, in addition to “deep concerns,” we might raise “serious objections” or make “pointed comments.”
Humor/sarcasm aside, President Putin needs to be stopped, and the sooner the better. And the sooner the easier. I don’t know if President Obama can do it. Or if President Putin would believe him if he said he was going to. But the sooner we start, the easier it will be and the less costly it will be – though it will be neither easy or costless. It’s just that it’s only going to get harder.
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