Russia's incursion into Ukraine has created a mess, and hopefully America will stay out of it ("Containing Putin," March 3).
Let NATO, the United Nations and the European Union work things out, though military action by any of them is unlikely. In fact, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Gen. Philip Breedlove, told reporters that the alliance "had no military plans to support Ukraine if it were attacked."
On Friday, President Obama said the U.S. "will stand with the international community in affirming there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine." Now it appears the line in the sand has been crossed and Russian troops control Crimea. What next?
There are some speeches that never should have been uttered: George W. Bush's "weapons of mass destruction" gem and former CIA Director George Tenet's "slam dunk" foolishness. Now President Obama's dust-up with Russian President Vladimir Putin can join this unfortunate collection.
Whatever the outcome in Ukraine, my bet is the majority of Americans want to keep hands off. I'm sorry for everyone in that beleaguered country, but dragging the United States into a military confrontation with Russia would be reckless.
It's time the U.S. renounced policing the world, and unless our national security is threatened I hope we keep our troops stateside. We are a member of NATO but Ukraine is not. We have no legal obligation to intervene, and with any luck we'll stay out of it.
Roz Nester, Baltimore
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