'It calls upon the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw all its military assets and forces from Ukraine.'<blockquote>'Recalling the statements of the Heads of State or Government on Ukraine of 6 March and 27 May and its conclusions of 21 March, 27 June and 16 July, the European Council remains extremely concerned by the ongoing and increasingly intense fighting in Eastern Ukraine and continues to strongly condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea. It condemns the increasing inflows of fighters and weapons from the territory of the Russian Federation into Eastern Ukraine as well as the aggression by Russian armed forces on Ukrainian soil. It calls upon the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw all its military assets and forces from Ukraine. The European Union reiterates the urgent need for a sustainable political solution based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence.'
- General Secretariat of the Council, August 30, 2014 (
pdf, page 3)</blockquote>
'If Putin’s aggression is not stopped in Ukraine, it will cost the West much more in lives and resources to stop him elsewhere .. The military defense of Ukraine deserves at least a serious debate..'<blockquote>'It is becoming harder and harder to ignore Russia’s growing military intervention in Ukraine. The diplomatic and economic efforts of President Barack Obama and European leaders have failed to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated escalation of this crisis .. The military defense of Ukraine deserves at least a serious debate..'
..a defensive military option to protect Ukraine and stop Russian aggression in another country..
NATO leaders must ask themselves, if Putin wins militarily against Ukraine, will he stop there or will Russia be more likely to use force later against another of its neighbors?
..The cyber campaigns and increased covert intelligence efforts that preceded Russia’s seizure of the Crimea are already being conducted elsewhere in Europe, including within NATO members. Few observers delude themselves that Putin’s emphasis on surprise 24-hour military mobilizations and exercises are being done for defensive purposes, especially after seeing the unexpected speed with which the Russian military acted against Ukraine.
If Putin’s aggression is not stopped in Ukraine, it will cost the West much more in lives and resources to stop him elsewhere. No other vulnerable state along Russia’s borders has the geostrategic depth and value of Ukraine. Ukraine also has the largest pro-West population to defend against Russian invasion.
The military option to save Ukraine from further Russian occupation should not be dismissed perfunctorily by Obama and European leaders. The military defense of Ukraine deserves at least a serious debate and top level consideration.'
- Jorge Benitez,
Put an End to Putin's Aggression, August 28, 2014</blockquote>
Context<blockquote>
'..[Russia was] "practically in a war against Europe". ' - Dalia Grybauskaite'We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.' - Ronald Reagan'..The world is waiting for the appearance of a new Churchill.' - Andrey Ivlyev</blockquote>