Here’s Why President Obama Is MIA on Ukraine and Shouldn’t Be
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Emeric Fohlen/NurPhoto/Sipa USA/Newscom
At least 25 were killed and hundreds wounded last night in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev.
14 powerful images that capture violence of today’s Ukraine protests http://t.co/FWoJlZgcHQ Photo @AP_Images #Kiev pic.twitter.com/18ZyYMxP1B
— NBC News Pictures (@NBCNewsPictures) February 18, 2014
Riot police stormed the main anti-government protest camp at the Independence Square and began “the worst crisis since the wars in Yugoslavia is convulsing Eastern Europe,” Ariel Cohen, a Russian and Eurasian Studies expert at The Heritage Foundation said.
BREAKING PHOTO: The Ukrainian riot police stood back from burning Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine. Via EPA pic.twitter.com/Nq3DkhhPpK — PzFeed Top News (@PzFeed) February 19, 2014
The world is now looking at Kiev and Cohen says the U.S. needs to show leadership:
Ukraine is strategically important. It has a massive industrial base; abundant agriculture; and a lengthy shoreline along the Black Sea. It also borders four NATO allies: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Russia covets it for its renewed sphere of influence. A lot is riding on next steps by the U.S. and our European allies. Washington has to exhibit strong leadership to resolve the crisis in Ukraine peacefully – and in accordance to strategic U.S. interests. It should call for an immediate cessation of government brutality and violence and helping Ukrainians to map out a path to a constitutional reform and the new elections this spring.
So, where is President Obama and his leadership on Ukraine?
Pete Souza
We don’t know. But we do know he likes the term Obamacare. At least that’s what he told Charles Barkley.
Pres Obama shows Charles Barkley the Oval Office following their interview for this weekend’s NBA AllStar game pic.twitter.com/VOZefUibwN — petesouza (@petesouza) February 14, 2014
On Tuesday, he hung out at a Safeway in Maryland to talk about how his administration is going to decide your truck’s gas mileage.
Fired Up: President Obama arriving to speak at a distribution center for Safeway stores in Upper Marlboro today. pic.twitter.com/GMQITG6Nnb — TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) February 18, 2014
He’s also talking about climate change’s influence to Californians suffering a drought.
Joe Del Bosque applauds as Pres Obama mentions Joe’s daughters during tour of his Calif farm yesterday pic.twitter.com/UckJHEv2KY
— petesouza (@petesouza) February 15, 2014
And after calling for a “shared sacrifice” to help manage California’s water shortage, he headed to Sunnylands retreat in Rancho Mirage (one of the state’s top water hogs) to golf.
Pete Souza
Is President Obama doing everything he can to help Ukraine and keep America’s best interests a priority? You decide.
UPDATE: President Obama made a statement this afternoon about the situation in Ukraine.
>>>Find out more about why the brutal protests are happening in Ukraine and read about why the U.S. should act here.