Putin and the Ukraine

In many ways, Putin is acting in the strategic interests of Russia's national security. Russia is exceptionally vulnerable to land attack and must develop buffer states to delay any attacks from Europe.

I fully expect all of Eastern Ukraine to secede from Kiev and to form some sort of federation with a puppet government loyal to Russia. Putin is smart, however, and is not rebuilding the old Soviet Union which had to carry financial responsibility for member states. The new "republic" of East Ukraine will be a separate state, responsible for paying its own bills. Since it contains the major industrial complexes in Ukraine, has a huge trade relationship with Russia and will be protected by Russia, East Ukraine will probably be able to take care of itself quite well.

Not much can be done to reverse the inevitable. However, we must focus on limiting the Russian encroachment to East Ukraine. Some of our options are:

1. Station American troops in Kiev to "protect" the American embassy and other American interests in the Ukraine (read: Western Ukraine).
2. Station American troops in Poland to conduct an exercise with the Polish military.
3. Place U.S. sanction against Russian/East Ukraine individuals and banking interests and work hard to negotiate or coerce other European countries and the EU to do the same,
4. Long term: develop the infrastructure and sell American natural gas to Europe, especially Germany to help offset Russia's monopoly in Europe. Pressure other natural gas producers to do the same.

To President Obama: It is paramount to remember that the Russian military is not comparable to the U.S. military and could not win a head-to-head confrontation. Putin is bluffing when he acts as the "world" power Russia is not!