Public Comment

It is time for the US, the European Union, Ukraine and Russia to dial back the harsh rhetoric lest more and more people die in this senseless conflict. Already close to 3,000 have already been killed. A Human Rights Watch report accuse the rebels of arbitrarily detaining civilians and subjecting them to torture, degrading treatment, including forced labor. Satellite images show Russian artillery, vehicles and troops in and around eastern Ukraine. In a major display of unity, 28 NATO countries and Ukraine are holding an emergency meeting. Both sides accuse each of escalating the conflict. There is little doubt that national pride will triumph concerns for human life. 

It is apparent that Russia is trying to prevent Ukraine joining NATO which it perceives to be a direct security threat. That is precisely what many in the West, more especially in the Baltic countries, and the neocons in Washington want. President Obama should show leadership and persuade our war hungry allies to respect Russia’s legimate security concerns by supporting Russia’s and Chancellor Merkel’s call for an immediate cease fire and urging Ukraine to remain neutral, postponing an alignment with NATO or the European Union for say five years. This would dramatically de-escalate tensions. After all how would we respond if Canada and Mexico were to join an alliance hostile to the US?