I agree, we are not supporting Ukraine significantly, but where we disagree is that I think we should. The long term consequences of not doing so are going to get many millions of Americans killed (though perhaps not by Russia.) No US boots on the ground are needed, we just need to follow a course that results in Putin so badly bloodied a la Afghanistan that he retreats and it will be a lesson to all.
I also disagree about Southern Ukraine. Putin would need Kherson, and Kherson is not Pro-Russian at all. Even in Odessa, it now looks like he has big problems.
Ukraine, however, is not Afghanistan or even close to it. Putin has vital interests in Ukraine and long term relation going back decades.
Though we are not supporting Ukraine currently with official “troops” on the ground, we definitely have ‘mega’ teams of people operating out of the Kiev Gov. Offices and more going in. (Via: State Dept Site)....and have had before the revolution.
The majority of what is being done in Ukraine is via the USA....the EU is unprepared to do much of anything, and choose not to speak much publicly about...and yet this is suppose to be about their accepting Ukraine as a EU member....distinct from Nato.
The EU is a mess right now. and new leaders to be appointed in the top offices soon. There's much talk to change the trajectory of Nato and the EU as they do not communicate well among themselves and are quite divided over all.
I would disagree that whatever Russia does with Ukraine is a National Security issue for the USA. Putin's simply responding to the EU advancements into the Baltic arena...and has been long time coming to this. EU and NATO as well the US understood Putin would respond. Foolish move on their part to assume he'd not, if they did. I think they believed they had “pacified” Putin by his inclusion in International Events etc. Their failure to acknowledge Russia as a Major Power, and in fact Obama actually stating Russia wasn't, was a very serious mistake.
Putin's going to secure the Baltic Sea area...or at least have a neutral understanding with all parties concerned. This is where I think this will head at this point.