Of course Russian aggression against Ukraine is an American interest. Efforts to argue that the EU should take charge is just a ploy to kill NATO in favor of the EU's defense ambitions.
Russia has been maneuvering to threaten Ukraine. This analysis in light of that threat makes no sense:
But if Moscow is indeed trying to see how much it can get away with, the Biden administration would be wise not to take the bait. Ultimately, Ukraine is a European problem that should be managed by the European Union. If the United States is a player in this conflict, it’s a tertiary one.
Russia want to make gains against Ukraine and America is "taking the bait" if it lets Russia make gains against Ukraine? What?!
Is it in America's interests to abandon Ukraine and risk Russia regaining direct or indirect control of Ukraine and putting Russian military power further west to threaten NATO states Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania? And non-NATO buffer state Belarus? And further isolating Georgia? And putting more pressure on NATO state Turkey which might pull an already dangerously estranged Turkey more closely into Russia's orbit?
And what am I to make of this?
This may come as a shock to those in Washington who like to see every global problem as an American solution. Regardless, the geopolitics of the Ukraine issue favors Russia, an immediate neighbor country whose security interests in the region surpass Washington’s own. Because Moscow has more at stake in Ukraine, it’s willing to spend more and sacrifice more — or at least more than America is willing to spend and sacrifice.
Throughout Ukraine’s seven-year conflict, Moscow has remained steadfast behind its proxies.
Russia's steadfastness has not extended to risking many Russian troop lives. Russia is not the casualty-immune power it was in World War II. How steadfast has Russia really been in that light? Russia will fight Ukraine to the last local volunteer and mercenary. Russia has not been willing to die for much in Ukraine.
And Russia's financial problems and much smaller economy means Russia can afford less than America and Europe can afford.
Even if Russia has more at stake in Ukraine, America and the Europeans only need to commit to a financial burden a fraction of the burden Russia must endure to escalate their low-level war against Ukraine. And if Ukraine is willing to fight, America and Europe don't have to risk any casualties even as escalation requires Russia to bleed more.
Further, why is America acting through NATO a "American solution" rather than a trans-Atlantic alliance solution?
The proposal to let the EU handle this will of course result in the EU saying it can't do anything without more resources. Resources that will come from NATO financing. And in the meantime Russia will have a free hand with America sidelined and the EU incapable of doing a damn thing.
Ultimately, by arguing this is not a problem for America to deal with, this is an effort to promote the European Union at the expense of NATO. Ukraine is to be sacrificed to rid Europe of America and bring the EU empire into being.
To Hell with that.
UPDATE: Ukraine's President Zelenskiy said that NATO membership is the only way to end the Donbas conflict. He's probably right. As long as Russia continues to appease China. He's certainly right not to count on the EU.
But "ending" the conflict through NATO membership will concede Russian conquest of eastern Donbas and Crimea. Not legally, perhaps, but in practice. NATO will not admit a member that wishes to use NATO to go on offense.
