Ukraine avoiding force in response to Russian invasion of Crimea

The Ukrainian government won’t use force to stop the Russian occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in order to avoid provoking an attack on its eastern border with the Russian Federation, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told the Agence France-Presse in an interview published March 11. Moreover, Ukraine’s Armed Forces don’t have the legal right to launch military operations in Crimea, Defense Minister Ihor Teniukh told parliament on March 11. Ukraine can’t claim open aggression by the Russian government because it refuses to recognize the presence of its forces in Crimea. Furthermore, the Ukrainian government hasn’t declared a state of war, without which the use of the military would be a criminal act, he said.

The Russians have mobilized on the Ukrainian border 220,000 soldiers, 150 fighter planes, and 60 ships and tanks, which significantly exceeds the Ukrainian army, he said. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine have only tactics and fighting spirit,” Teniukh said. “We have brought all armed forces to a level military preparedness in accordance to training plans. But the statistics aren’t favorable.” He said the Ukrainian government has never prepared for an armed conflict with Russia, which would require a great deal of time and money.

Zenon Zawada: It’s a wise decision to avoid a military confrontation with Russia. However it will be unavoidable should Russian President Vladimir Putin decide to occupy the country’s southeastern regions. We believe he’s keeping that option open should the new government fail to bring the economy in order.