What The Ukraine Crisis Tells Us About The US

The long-simmering Ukrainian crisis has erupted into open conflict. What does this tell us about the US, though?

A map of the Ukraine showing the Crimean peninsula (seized by Russia in 2014) and the two breakaway provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, where current fighting is concentrated

Let's look at three aspects of US behaviour leading up to this crisis.

1. The promise not to expand NATO

When the Soviet Union was collapsing, the US assured Gorbachev (both on its own and through Germany) that it would not seek to expand the borders of NATO eastwards.

We know what actually happened. The inclusion of East Germany into NATO as a result of German reunification was understandable, but then the following countries became NATO members too, and NATO's missiles moved closer and closer to Russia.

1. Czech Republic (1999), formerly part of the Warsaw Pact as Czechoslovakia
2. Hungary (1999), formerly part of the Warsaw Pact
3. Poland (1999), formerly part of the Warsaw Pact
4. Bulgaria (2004), formerly part of the Warsaw Pact
5. Estonia (2004), formerly part of the Soviet Union itself
6. Latvia (2004), formerly part of the Soviet Union itself
7. Lithuania (2004), formerly part of the Soviet Union itself
8. Romania (2004), formerly part of the Warsaw Pact
9. Slovakia (2004), formerly part of the Warsaw Pact as Czechoslovakia
10. Slovenia (2004), formerly part of neutral Yugolavia
11. Albania (2009), formerly part of the Warsaw Pact
12. Croatia (2009), formerly part of neutral Yugolavia
13. Montenegro (2017), formerly part of neutral Yugolavia
14. Macedonia (2020), formerly part of neutral Yugolavia

It's clear that the US adopted a winner-takes-all mentality against Russia, much like what the victors of World War I did to Germany through the Treaty of Versailles. We know how Germany reacted as a result of that oppressive treaty, so should Russia's reaction today be any surprise?

2. The support for democratic values

The US has always claimed to stand for democratic values against authoritarian regimes like Russia's.

But what actually happened in the Ukraine? There was a democratic election held in 2010, when Viktor Yanukovych defeated incumbent prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko in the race for president. Yanokovych's government therefore had legitimacy as a democratically elected one. However, Yanukovych's government was pro-Russia. In 2014, there were protests in Ukraine over the tilt towards Russia and away from Europe, and Yanukovych's elected government was deposed in a coup (not through an election) and replaced by one headed by Arseniy Yatsenyuk. This new government promptly signed an agreement with the EU.

Nobody knows if the protests against the Yanukovych government that culminated in his ouster were a genuine grassroots uprising or were engineered from outside, although one can hazard a guess.

In any case, it's clear that the US doesn't mind the ouster of a democratically elected government through a coup, as long as the change favours its own interests.

3. The promise of support against aggression

A lot of noise has been made by the US over the past few months over the imminent Russian invasion of the Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people were promised support against Russian aggression.

But what actually happened? In recent weeks, the US as well as its key European allies have ruled out sending troops to fight any invading Russian army, and have only threatened economic sanctions and support to Ukrainian insurgents. Once the invasion began, President Biden said that "the prayers of the entire world are with Ukraine".

It's clear that the US goads its vassal states into brinkmanship, but when the chips are down, they only send "thoughts and prayers". Not the most reliable ally. They deserted the Hmong in Vietnam, and they deserted their interpreters in Afghanistan. (Something for India to keep in mind as it takes on China with the imagined backing of the US.)

What the Ukraine crisis teaches us about the US

1. They're liars. Never believe them when they promise you something.

2. They're hypocrites. They do the opposite of what they claim to stand for.

3. They're impotent cowards. If you wade into battle on their behalf expecting them to back you up, good luck.