How Does Putin's Invasion Affect The United States

In March of 2014 the current leader of Russia (Vladimir Putin) stated Russian military forces would not invade Ukrainian soil. Yet, less than 24 hours later there were reports of Russian troops pushing into the Ukrainian province of Crimea. Did the first of many downright lies of Putin’s raise any red flags in America or the U.N.? Sadly they did not. Instead, playing the game let us see what Putin will say to these reports next. Putin still denied any invasion or use of military troops in Ukraine during the U.N. Summit shortly after the alleged invasion. It was not unit mid-August that irrefutable evidence was released by NATO of satellite imagery of Russian troop movement within Ukraine’s borders. Most recently the Ukrainian government and

the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine were reported that fresh Russian military forces were continuing to cross Ukrainian borders and attacking the cities of Luhasnk and Donets. Still the only commitment by U.S. President Obama and the U.N. has been economic, or the lack of funding and trading it was previously doing with Russia. This has not stemmed the overall invasion in any way though, or the Russian government proceeding with the invasion. This is why American citizens need to be aware of the current military action of Russia invading Ukraine, and how it will affect us in the future.
I will start with the first question that needs to be asked by not only Americans, but also the world. Why did Russia invade Ukraine, and what do they stand to gain from this invasion? Tom Barton (journalist for The Guardian 2014) posed that the first benefit for the Russian government invading Ukraine was the strategic location of Sevastopol on the Black Sea. Granted the Russian fleet has been in Sevastopol since the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1997 a treaty was signed to allow Russian personal to remain there until 2024). Ukraine has continued to allow the Russian government to keep their naval fleet in Sevastopol with 15,000 military personnel stationed there until recently. That number grew to over 30,000 troops as of March 6, 2014 (Tom Barton The Guardian 2014). Next we can take a look at the Russian gas reserves (a fifth of the world’s reserves) and the pipelines that supply half of Ukraine and about 30% of Europe’s gas annually. This means that a majority of their oil is either being sent to Ukraine or sent through Ukraine to other countries. Looking at it from the Russian standpoint, why not invade? Ukraine has no military power to speak of putting up little to no resistance up to this point. And, is it that much worse for Ukraine possibly being under Russian control? They currently have the same political systems (Constitutional Republic) the only thing that will change if Russia takes control, is who their president will be.
With the evidence and material released so far, it is apparent to me that the U.N. (most notably the United States) does not seem to care what Vladimir Putin does in Ukraine. And really, why should we intercede in the first place? We do not have a horse in the race, as they say. This means little to nothing in the standings for the United States. So what the Russian Government now has a strong naval presence in the Black Sea. Does this pose any problem the United States Military, most notably the Navy? The United States Navy reports over 325,859 active Duty Officer, Enlisted, and Midshipmen. With another 107,055 Ready Reserve as of February 2015. With an astounding 273 deployable battle force ships at their fingertips accompanied by 3700 plus aircraft aboard. I am not sure about you, but that makes me think the United States Navy has the world’s strongest naval presence, and is in no way worried about the Russian naval presence in the Black Sea.
That brings us to how Ukraine, the U.N., and most notability the United States have reacted to this invasion so far. Knowing this information it is apparent to me the United States does not feel threatened by Russian troop movement in Ukraine. How do you think they would respond to Russia’s military action? Why of course they looked the other way pretending, nothing is happening! November 2014 State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki (in an interview with ABC News 2014) referred to heavy weapons being "moved to the front lines" and endorsed "the developments seen by NATO." Later going on to say in the interview, "As we've said consistently, Russia is blatantly violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” Yet no action has occurred – up to this point – to aid the Ukraine government in any way. Most recently U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (February 7th, 2015) stated; “The United States wants a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine, but will only provide security assistance not to encourage war, but to allow Ukraine to defend itself against Russia.” So you are telling the world that you are sending “security assistance” to not aid in war, but to help Ukraine defend themselves from Russia? Defiantly an interesting way to stay out of the current situation, while still denying that there is a war going on. Why wouldn’t people still deny the invasion when this is what the news networks are talking about? International Business Times released an article on December, 01 called; 2 Reasons Russia’s Vladimir Putin Could Invade Ukraine and U.S., NATO Would Not Interven. Yet there had already been reports of over 13,000 Russian troops on Ukraine soil before this date. Not to mention countless artillery that was seen via satellite by NATO, and it was even released to the public. At least the news networks seem to be backing the U.S. government by denying an official invasion or war. Saves face for our president and government, and allows us to remain out of the war effort. All in all I would consider both of the results good things, the actually false statements of the article, not so much.
Surprisingly Germany took the other route and was quick to give both military and economic aid to Ukraine. Not only did German give initial support and aid, but continued to do so during the last year, even to present day. German Chancellor Angela Merkel went as far as travelling to Russia in hopes of completely a cease-fire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. According to ABC News (2015) Russia’s President Vladimir Putin still made claims that Ukraine continued to carry the bulk of responsibility for bringing about a settlement. Or, in other words Putin is not getting what he wants in the negotiations so he is blaming Ukraine for falling short. To me this looks like the War, Invasion, Crisis, or whatever the news has dubbed this newest uprising is soon to end. Or, at least both Countries are attempting to end this without further bloodshed. To me this is just one more reason to stay on the sidelines and out of the fighting and so called peace talks.
Many Western leaders persist in seeing the Ukraine invasion as a minor issue in regards to foreign affairs with Russia that can be easily overlooked.

Instead of the clear and present agenda of Putin’s with his initial denial of the invasion, and invasion of Ukraine in general. Just looking at the military power he could hold with such a fundamental geological country in his control. Not to mention the oil pipelines that carry 50% of Russian oil in and out of the country through Ukraine. Still the crisis ensues with no present result in proximity. My question is how does this affect the United States, and why should we intercede at this time? Look at the most recent war efforts that we have undertaken because it was our responsibility as a civilized nation to intervene in other countries business. Iraq, Afghanistan, or Vietnam let us not forget that we still have forces in these countries with somewhat no resolution then, or now. Why do we need to add one more country to the list that we cannot adequately help? Personally I feel that this is none of our business, and we need to leave it where it is at. Sure it is fine that Obama stopped economic trade with Russia this seems like a valid reason right? But, it should stop there. Make the people happy in the United States then step aside and wait to see what happens. If it becomes apparent that the United States will be in jeopardy because of Russian forces, then this is when we need to take a seat at the table. Until then why mess with an invasion that has nothing to do with United States citizens in any

way.