US suspends military engagements with Russia over Ukraine crisis
Washington: The US defence department says it is suspending exercises and other activities with the Russian military over Moscow's military involvement in Ukraine.A Pentagon spokesman, Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby, said on Monday evening that
Significant changes were made to Bush administration plans for a European missile defense to try to ease Russian concerns, and a new arms control treaty was signed, as part of Washington's hopes to "reset'' US-Russia relations.
"When you implement a policy of appeasement toward Moscow, that policy is going to spectacularly backfire," said scholar Nile Gardiner of the conservative Heritage Foundation. "We've seen that with regards to Crimea and Ukraine.''
American Enterprise Institute security expert Gary Schmitt outlined a number of steps that he said the West should embrace to pressure Putin.
Among them, he said, is the buildup of NATO forces in neighbouring nations to make clear to Russia that there is a line it cannot cross in Europe.
He also said Navy ships and assets should be moved to the Mediterranean Sea, and possibly the Black Sea, "to remind Russia there is a military cost for its activities.''
He noted that Russia paid little for invading Georgia in 2008.
"When you implement a policy of appeasement toward Moscow, that policy is going to spectacularly backfire," said scholar Nile Gardiner of the conservative Heritage Foundation. "We've seen that with regards to Crimea and Ukraine.''
American Enterprise Institute security expert Gary Schmitt outlined a number of steps that he said the West should embrace to pressure Putin.
Among them, he said, is the buildup of NATO forces in neighbouring nations to make clear to Russia that there is a line it cannot cross in Europe.
He also said Navy ships and assets should be moved to the Mediterranean Sea, and possibly the Black Sea, "to remind Russia there is a military cost for its activities.''
He noted that Russia paid little for invading Georgia in 2008.