Almost as soon as they annexed the Crimean peninsula, the
Russians invaded 2 “oblasts” (states) of eastern Ukraine,
using almost exactly the same method and pretext as they did in Crimea.
This area is not insignificant, but even if it were, it
would still be a serious violation of international law.
The
U.S. has committed more than $1.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine
since 2014. The “lethal aid” portion was set to include sniper rifles,
rocket-propelled grenade launchers, counter-artillery radars, electronic
warfare detection and secure communications, night vision equipment, and
military medical supplies and treatment. After Ukraine’s military began
using Javelin anti-tank weapons, Russian tanks and armored personnel carriers
that once operated with devastating impunity have backed off. But beyond the obvious tangible impact, the aid
created “an immeasurable, psychological impact — that the U.S. has our
back."
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