Things just got even more heated in Ukraine.
During a press briefing yesterday, State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf claimed that Moscow is boosting its military shipments to the separtists in Ukraine.
“We have new evidence that the Russians intend to deliver heavier and more powerful rocket launchers to separatist forces in Ukraine and have evidence that Russia is firing artillery from within Russia to attach Ukrainian military positions,” Harf told reporters.
Although the US still hasn’t determined what brought down the two Ukrainian fighter jets planes on Wednesday – rebels have claimed responsibility saying they used man-portable, shoulder-fired missiles – US officials are confident that Russia has been firing across the border.
“For several days the Russians have been firing artillery into Ukraine,” said Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman. “This is clearly a military escalation.”
This new information certainly makes it even more obvious that the Russians were behind the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 last week.
To be sure, Putin’s denials were weak to begin with. But now that we know that in the face of international criticism he has decided to increase support to the separtists as opposed to help the effort to pull them back, there is no reason to treat him as anything but an enemy.
It is my hope that this new development will spark new debate in Europe on the need to levy tougher sanctions on Russia.
“Almost every European state has voluntarily handed over power to Mr. Putin, allowing him to play countries against each other,” said Marietje Schaake, an influential member of the European Parliament. “We should choose for energy independency, for principles, human rights and rule of law. But that is not what we are doing now.”
Though it took longer than many would’ve liked, the US has finally stood up for our principles, human rights and rule of law through the latest round of sanctions. They surely could go further and target Putin himself and this may very well happen if things continue as they have. But it is time that Europe at least catches up with the US.
The toll will be heavy for many European countries. For instance, Shell, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, has its head office in the Hague and is one of the world’s largest investors in Russian gas fields in Siberia. Thus far, Shell has declined to comment on whether they will reconsider their investment in light of the MH17 crash.
European nations must consider that there is so much more to lose than money at this point.
Standing up to Russia and Putin is a matter of national character, which is arguably more important than a nation’s coffers. It’s high time that Europe recognized this.
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During a press briefing yesterday, State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf claimed that Moscow is boosting its military shipments to the separtists in Ukraine.
“We have new evidence that the Russians intend to deliver heavier and more powerful rocket launchers to separatist forces in Ukraine and have evidence that Russia is firing artillery from within Russia to attach Ukrainian military positions,” Harf told reporters.
Although the US still hasn’t determined what brought down the two Ukrainian fighter jets planes on Wednesday – rebels have claimed responsibility saying they used man-portable, shoulder-fired missiles – US officials are confident that Russia has been firing across the border.
“For several days the Russians have been firing artillery into Ukraine,” said Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman. “This is clearly a military escalation.”
This new information certainly makes it even more obvious that the Russians were behind the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 last week.
To be sure, Putin’s denials were weak to begin with. But now that we know that in the face of international criticism he has decided to increase support to the separtists as opposed to help the effort to pull them back, there is no reason to treat him as anything but an enemy.
It is my hope that this new development will spark new debate in Europe on the need to levy tougher sanctions on Russia.
“Almost every European state has voluntarily handed over power to Mr. Putin, allowing him to play countries against each other,” said Marietje Schaake, an influential member of the European Parliament. “We should choose for energy independency, for principles, human rights and rule of law. But that is not what we are doing now.”
Though it took longer than many would’ve liked, the US has finally stood up for our principles, human rights and rule of law through the latest round of sanctions. They surely could go further and target Putin himself and this may very well happen if things continue as they have. But it is time that Europe at least catches up with the US.
The toll will be heavy for many European countries. For instance, Shell, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, has its head office in the Hague and is one of the world’s largest investors in Russian gas fields in Siberia. Thus far, Shell has declined to comment on whether they will reconsider their investment in light of the MH17 crash.
European nations must consider that there is so much more to lose than money at this point.
Standing up to Russia and Putin is a matter of national character, which is arguably more important than a nation’s coffers. It’s high time that Europe recognized this.
Like on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Add on Google+
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