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Proposing the Ukraine join NATO, an idea that was pushed by the Obama administration following in the footsteps of Clinton's and Bush's expansion deep into the former Warsaw Pact and former Soviet Baltic states, is the causus belli for Russia. We've been poking the bear almost continuously, with a brief hiatus under Trump, for the last thirty years. That doesn't excuse Putin, but throwing more fuel on a lit fire by NATO (meaning US) engaging Russia directly would not help the Ukrainians. It would in fact most likely get the place (and maybe the a large patch of the rest of the planet) turned to ash.

That aside, bottom line, Ukraine is not of Vital National Interest to the United States and therefore not worth an ounce of American blood. Helping them defend themselves, something they appear to be doing quite well with the material help being provided, is one thing. Anything further is an entirely different level of risk. And I'm surprised and saddened that Col. West has jumped on the war wagon.