Had the U.S. been so foolish as to bring Ukraine into NATO, Washington would have a treaty responsibility to start World War III. Today’s game of geopolitical chicken might have a nuclear end.
Still, the West cannot easily ignore Russia’s Crimean takeover. It was an act of aggression against Kiev, yet a majority of Crimean residents may welcome the move. Although secessionist sentiment has been largely dormant of late, the Western-supported putsch/street revolution against President Viktor Yanukovich inflamed pro-Russian passions in eastern Ukraine.
Of course, Moscow intervened for its own ends. And Putin is wrong, dangerously wrong, to use force. But how to punish Moscow? America’s direct stake in the controversy is essentially nil.