Tension in Ukraine: Russian Invasion Must Be Prevented

The situation in Ukraine has become increasingly tense, with growing speculation that Russia will invade. The U.S. and Europe must work together to prepare effective sanctions against Russia in order to prevent the potential violence.

The 100,000 Russian troops massed on the Ukrainian border are in a state of alert. Russian troops have also begun to enter Belarus, which has close ties with Russia, “for joint military exercises.” Ukraine is now under siege.

Repeated talks between the U.S. and Russia have failed to yield any clues to a solution. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s method of unilaterally raising tensions and then asking for “guarantees of Russia’s security” is tantamount to intimidation. Shouldn’t the withdrawal of troops be the first priority?

Putin has said that the expansion of NATO poses a threat to Russia; he has asked the U.S. for assurances that Ukraine and other countries will not become new members.

Membership in NATO, the military alliance between the U.S. and Europe, is a matter of each country’s free will and choice. It is up to each country to freely choose its own membership in NATO and NATO’s choice to accept any applying countries. Russia’s demand is one that neglects Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Russia’s insistence that NATO troops should be withdrawn from Eastern Europe shows that it aims to change the security order in Europe to suit its own interests. It is not surprising that the U.S. has rejected this series of demands.

We cannot rule out the possibility that Putin’s next move will be to invade Ukraine, establish a pro-Russian government or divide the territory.

The U.S. and other NATO members are not obligated to defend Ukraine, but they cannot tolerate an act of aggression that violates international law. If left unchecked, it would send the wrong message to China, which has said it will not hesitate to unify Taiwan by force.

While the U.S. has stepped up its military support for Ukraine, it has also warned Russia that it will impose severe economic sanctions if it invades. Restrictions on the export of advanced technology to Russia and financial sanctions are being considered.

The question is whether European countries, which depend on Russia for energy such as natural gas, will be able to keep pace with the United States. It is possible that Russia will react to the sanctions and take countermeasures, such as suspending gas supplies.

Strong sanctions will have to deal a certain blow to the side that imposes them, but the negative impact of war is far greater. We should show our determination to resolutely prevent Russia’s aggression.

Japan, as a member of the Group of Seven, needs to show a resolute stance based on international principles that do not allow the status quo to be changed by force.