Furthermore, Putin, as I hope everyone recalls, already threatened Poland with a nuclear strike should the US missile shield have been erected on its soil. This caused “flexible” Obama to unilaterally back down. This has not bought us peace out of Putin, but more provocation in return.
I agree with your conclusions about Poland as an example; Obama was flat wrong to renege on a commitment to supply Poland with anti-ballistic missiles. Poland is a treaty partner of the United States, a member of NATO, and a member of the European Union and therefore stands on a whole different footing than Ukraine.
Furthermore, Poland is an effective ally, committed to capitalism and democracy as opposed to Ukraine, or would be one, if Obama had not screwed the pooch. Poland is also geographically closer to central Europe and historically it has been hostile to Russia whereas the Ukraine has a mixed relationship.
I view our national interests to be served by arming Poland and drawing them into the Western trading block and supporting their democracy. Those goals are also desirable for Ukraine but much less likely to be obtained and far more risky.
