International security

Keep Your Enemies Close: U.S. Buddying Up to Russia?

What was it that President Obama said when Russia first began aggressively encroaching on Ukraine? “We’ll continue to make clear to Russia that further provocations will achieve nothing except to further isolate Russia and diminish its place in the world…we’ll continue to look at the range of ways we can help our Ukrainian friends achieve their universal rights and the security, prosperity and dignity that they deserve.”

Now, two years after Crimea was illegally annexed, it seems that support for Ukraine has been pushed to the backburner.

August 12th, Vice President Biden, reached out to President Poroshenko regarding the tension between Ukraine and Russia. According to a statement released by the White House, “The Vice President urged President Poroshenko to do his part to avoid escalating tensions.” The statement also noted that Russia was similarly approached, and there would continue to be “strong support for political and diplomatic support” for Ukraine.