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In light of the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, the world has once again looked at the US to intervene.  Countries including Canada, Japan, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all created sanctions to target Russia’s already weak economy.  However, if the US chooses to send additional support by sending troops to Ukraine, it may prove to be a fatal mistake.

The top priority of every nation right now (excluding Russia), is to diffuse tensions in Ukraine.  The deployment of troops by the United States, or any other G7 world power, is a clear step in the wrong direction.  After two decades of harboring troops in the Middle East, the US is just now reverting back to normal in a supposed time of “peace”.

By becoming involved in yet another foreign conflict, other countries as well as American citizens could begin to question the US’ intentions when it comes to military action.  Providing support from afar through financial resources as well as imposing sanctions against Russia is clearly the best course of action that the world can take.

A major reason why the US should not send troops to Ukraine is the unpredictability of Russian President Vladimir Putin.  Putin recently put Russia’s deterrence forces, who handle nuclear weapons, on high alert.  This decision was completely unnecessary and unprovoked.  Although this step may be just a show of power, the flaunting of nuclear arms is something that should always be taken seriously.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, stated that this decision is “really a pattern that we’ve seen from President Putin through the course of this conflict, which is manufacturing threats that don’t exist in order to justify further aggression”.  Putin’s quick and unprovoked escalation of this situation is a major risk to all nations.

Ukraine’s lack of membership in NATO is another contributing factor as to why the US should not send troops.  NATO was formed after World War II, and is an organization of more than 30 countries with the goal of securing peace through political and military action.  If Ukraine was a member of NATO, countries in NATO could come to the assistance of Ukraine by sending troops; however, other nations cannot directly send troops since Ukraine is not in NATO.

If the US were to send troops, Russia would view this action as a foreign country disrupting affairs between two individual nations, which will undoubtedly lead to another World War.

Every action taken by the US must be carefully calculated.  Since the end of World War II, the world has viewed the US as the top world power and it is important that the United States does not abuse this power and intervene in Ukraine.  This conflict not only endangers the lives of Ukrainians, but the whole world.