In the midst of all the back and forth of news on different issues, sometimes it’s good to go back and look at what was actually said – the solemn, ironclad, commitments and assurances.
Ukraine
Russia invaded Ukraine, much like Russia invaded Crimea. The west seems unwilling to help, just as we were unwilling to help Poland in 1939. Look back to promises made to Ukraine in December, 1994.
The UK Prime Minister and the Presidents of Ukraine, Russia, and the US signed memoranda committing their countries to support the territorial integrity of the new nation of Ukraine. These memoranda included the following statements, emphasis added by me:
Russia, the US and UK…
reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine, in accordance with the principles of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine…reaffirm their obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, and that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defence or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations…reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine, in accordance with the principles of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, to refrain from economic coercion designed to subordinate to their own interest the exercise by Ukraine of the rights inherent in its sovereignty and thus to secure advantages of any kind…
Iran
Regarding Iran, the Obama administration was as clear as clear could be in assuring Israel of its support, and promising that Iran will not be allowed to get nuclear weapons. ‘Period.’ Here are extracts from a statement by the US Ambassador to the United Nations, on March 2 of this year:
I am struck that when I read about alleged policy differences on the Iran nuclear negotiations, I rarely see mention of the foundational strategic agreement between the United States and Israel – an agreement that undergirds our entire engagement with Iran. The United States of America will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Period…
Now, let me put President Obama’s commitment to denying Iran a nuclear weapon in context…the President not only committed to denying Iran a nuclear weapon before negotiations with Iran began, he has reiterated the same commitment during negotiations, and he will keep his commitment whether negotiations collapse or produce a diplomatic solution that meets our bottom lines.
Maybe the President has made this point so often that it isn’t heard in the same way anymore, but we have to keep repeating it – talks, no talks, agreement, no agreement – the United States will take whatever steps are necessary … if diplomacy should fail, we know the stakes of a nuclear-armed Iran as well as everyone here. We will not let it happen.
The bottom line
In both cases, commitments are clearly in question. Ukraine’s sovereignty was violated, but the memoranda do not specify consequences. The administration’s promise to deny nuclear weapons to Iran still stands, and without time limits. Time will tell.