Posted on 03/19/2014 5:23:29 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
March 19, 2014, 05:09 pm Obama's promise: No military action in Ukraine from US
By Jeremy Herb
President Obama said Wednesday that the U.S. military would not take military action in Ukraine against Russia.
"We are not going to be getting into a military excursion in Ukraine,” Obama said in an interview Wednesday with KNSD, the NBC affiliate in San Diego.
"I think even the Ukrainians would acknowledge, for us to engage Russia militarily would not be appropriate and would not be good for Ukraine, either,” Obama added.
Obama is coming under increased pressure to take action against Russia for its actions in Ukraine, and has already signaled he will pursue expanded sanctions against the country.
But the president made clear he is hesitant to provide military assistance to Ukraine, a step advocated by some members of Congress.
Russian President Vladimir Putin this week signed a treaty that annexed Crimea as part of Russia, a move that was condemned by the United States and the West.
Obama dismissed the notion that Putin was acting “out of strength,” telling the San Diego station the annexation of Crimea was an action taken “out of weakness.”
“Might doesn’t make right,” Obama said.
He also said Putin’s incursion shouldn’t — and wouldn’t — be read as a sign the United States was incapable of defending its allies.
"His strategic decisions are no way based on whether he thought that we might go to war over this,” Obama said. “I think there’s a clear understanding that when it comes to our core interests or our NATO allies we can protect ourselves.”
In his interview with St. Louis NBC affiliate KSDK, Obama reiterated his call on Congress to pass an economic aid bill supporting Ukraine “at a time when they have an economic crisis to go along with this political crisis.”
The Obama administration issued sanctions against 11 individuals from Russia and Ukraine on Monday in response to Russia’s military intervention, and Obama has indicated that further sanctions could be on the way.
“What we are going to be do is mobilize all of our diplomatic resources to make sure that we've got a strong international coalition that sends a strong message,” Obama said Wednesday.
This story was updated at 8:00 p.m.
“I will not send American boys half way across the world to do what Vietnamese boys ought to be doing themselves.”
LBJ, who then led us into one of the worst wars America’s been involved in and whose effects we’re still feeling today.
Anything Clinton signed isn’t worth the piece of paper it’s written on.
Seriously? Really? What the heck business is it of ours? Go back to toking with Reggie over the brackets.
This metrosexual thinks the military conducts “excursions”? Like a weekend trip to buy antiques? Meanwhile, Putin’s army is conducting exercises.
Ruins the day for all the armchair Rambos salivating over the thought of a nooklear war.
Well boys, I reckon this is it. Nuclear combat, toe to toe with the Rooskies. That was then, this is now: Barry doesn’t care about securing our own borders.
And after Syria, all he wants is ‘man-to-man’ combat, vacations, golf and Maui Wowee.
“Might doesn’t make right.” So, he’s admitting that Putin is mighty?”
Has any interviwer ever asked obama what he meant by “Tell Vlad I’ll have more flexibility after the election”?
"Now sign up for Obamacare or else".
Congress shall have the power to declare war. Art I, Sec 8, Clause 11 U.S. Constitution.
Obama doesn't have the final word on this. In a sense, constitutionally speaking, the POTUS is just an errand boy for Congress.
People are wringing their hands that we'll have to wait another three years before we have a POTUS who will actually defend freedom. But if we get the right people in Congress in 2014, we might not to have to wait that long.
I wonder if Congress can implement something short of declaring war on Russia, like declaring U.S. involvement in defending a country in a particular region.
Didn’t the people of Crimea guys democratically to become part of Russian Federation, or did I miss something? Where is “the crime” you speak of?
Exactly.
Guys should be “vote” (i HATE this Damn autocorrect phone! GRRR!)
“Go for it, Puti!” - 0
That’s why I miss my Blackberry. For instance this android phone types out Yahoo instead of Ya, Lanyards in place of Menards, and it won’t let me swear when I need to.
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