The crisis in Ukraine is reaching a tipping point, and the U.S. is expected to act or draft policy concerning Ukraine. Russia may be testing the US, and our interest to intervene in Ukraine. If they discover we are not likely to act when they do – this behavior and their influence might expand. Russia is slicing off parts of other countries and innovating their system of warfare, (a method of combat that is the probably the product of years of preparation and planning to re-assert themselves on the global scene as a world power).

The Department of State is long overdue on delivering a stance to the violence in Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian para-military and military have been locked in intense clashes for most of this week. We’ve enjoyed an economic partnership that is probably stronger than a strictly military partnership. I think it’s important to understand that we’ve enjoyed a freely exchanged and prosperous relationship. Ukraine was on the cusp of joining NATO before pro-Russian separatists began an uprising that torn the country in two.

But to review the existing relationship leading up to today and the civil war that corrodes the country, read below. This is an excerpt from the official Department of State website, Ukraine page:

U.S.-Ukraine Relations

The United States established diplomatic relations with Ukraine in 1991, following its independence from the Soviet Union. The United States attaches great importance to the success of Ukraine’s transition to a modern democratic state with a flourishing market economy. U.S. policy is centered on realizing and strengthening a democratic, prosperous, and secure Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. The U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership highlights the importance of the bilateral relationship and outlines enhanced cooperation in the areas of defense, security, economics and trade, energy security, democracy, and cultural exchanges. It also emphasizes the continued commitment of the United States to support enhanced engagement between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine. To fulfill one of the key tenets of the charter, the two countries have established the Strategic Partnership Commission.

U.S. Assistance to Ukraine

U.S. Government assistance to Ukraine aims to support the development of a democratic, prosperous, and secure Ukraine, fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community. A fact sheet on U.S. assistance to Ukraine can be found here.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States has granted Ukraine market economy status and terminated the application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Ukraine, giving Ukraine permanent normal trade relations status. The United States and Ukraine have a bilateral investment treaty. U.S. exports to Ukraine include coal, machinery, vehicles, agricultural products, fish and seafood, and aircraft. U.S. imports from Ukraine include iron and steel, inorganic chemicals, oil, iron and steel products, aircraft, and agricultural products. The U.S.-Ukraine Council on Trade and Investment was established under the countries’ agreement on trade and investment cooperation and works to increase commercial and investment opportunities by identifying and removing impediments to bilateral trade and investment flows.”

Featured image courtesy of Daily Sabah.