John McCain’s US-Russia rhetoric: Military options, sanctions, increasing NATO
The Russian incursion into Ukraine and Crimea’s vote to secede has caused a number of members of Congress to speak out on Vladimir Putin’s tactics; however, none has been more vocal and “passionate” about the situation than Arizona Republican Senator John McCain.
McCain seems to be on the air or in print daily with a cornucopia of things he thinks the United States should do about Russia.
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Economic sanctions appears the one “act of war” that can be proposed without stirring up the opposition of the American people, and it’s one of Mr. McCain’s favorite weapons in the arsenal.
“Well, I think economic sanctions are a very important step,” McCain said. “Identify these kleptocrats and — look, Russia is a gas station masquerading as a country. Its kleptocracy, its corruption, it’s a nation that’s really only dependent upon oil and gas for their economy. And so economic sanctions are important.”
McCain also like the thought of giving arms to Ukraine.
“Get some military assistance to Ukrainians, at least so they can defend themselves. Resume the missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. Look at Moldavia and Georgia, both of whom are occupied by Russian troops as we speak, a path towards membership in NATO,” he said.
How about increasing NATO’s military presence?
Sen. McCain wrote in a New York Times Op-Ed Friday, ‘Increasing NATO’s military presence and exercises on it’s eastern frontier.”
McCain wants to boycott the Group of eight summit in Sochi.
How about US military action?
The signals are mixed at best.
McCain has been heard saying, “That doesn’t mean American boots on the ground…”, but in a recent interview with MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell, Mitchell asked if there is a military option for the U.S. in Ukraine and McCain said, “I’d love to tell you that there is Andrea, but frankly I do not see it,” he said, adding, “I wish that there were. … I do not see a military option and it’s tragic.”
McCain even tweeted on Sunday, “Good conversation @CNN – I will never stop fighting for a free and independent #Ukraine, which includes #Crimea”, which prompted Chris Rossini to write in Neocon Watch, “Those words sound like something a candidate for the Ukrainian Parliament would say. And yet, they’re from a Senator from Arizona, located on the other side of the Earth.
“Let’s recognize McCain’s passion here. He will “never stop fighting” for Ukraine!
“Does that mean that after his U.S. Senate term is complete, McCain will be moving to Ukraine to continue his fight?
“No American should ever wish such a fate on the Ukrainian people.”
