The United States, the world's largest military power, has dispatched troops to conflicts around the world.


But over Ukraine, the Biden administration has declared that it will not intervene early.


Will that policy remain the same as Russia's attacks continue to increase civilian casualties?


Why not send US troops to Ukraine in the first place?


I will explain it in an easy-to-understand manner.

What are the three reasons why the United States does not send troops?

"1% is fine. I want you to donate 1% of NATO's tanks."



Ukrainian President Zelensky appealed at the NATO-North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit meeting held on March 24th.



However, President Biden emphasizes daily that the idea of ​​not dispatching US troops remains the same, not to mention the provision of fighters.


According to President Biden's explanation and experts, there are three main reasons: "I have no obligation to protect," "I have no profit," and "I want to avoid military conflict."

Reason 1.

No obligation to protect Ukraine

Ukraine is not a member of NATO, so the United States has no defense obligations.

Reason 2.

No American interest

If it is directly linked to American security and has strategic interests, the United States will fight.


In Afghanistan, in response to the terrorist attacks, "War on Terror" was set up, and in Iraq, "weapons of mass destruction" was used as an excuse to launch a military operation.



But this time Ukraine is not in a situation where the United States is directly threatened.

Reason 3.

Can't fight Russia

What the United States wants to avoid most is a military conflict with Russia.


The clash between the United States and Russia could lead to "World War III," and we must assume the worst scenario of a nuclear war.



The Biden administration, which has just finished its withdrawal from Afghanistan, cannot bear the risk of re-entering a major war.

What are you doing because you can't fight?

The United States continues to provide military support on an unusual scale with European countries, even without dispatching troops.


A large number of weapons are sent to the site, and anti-tank missiles are causing great damage to the Russian army.

The United States has decided to provide more than double the defense budget of Ukraine in 2020 for military and humanitarian assistance.

However, the Biden administration has set a line that must not be crossed in support.


That is to "keep it within the range of not being a party".


Military support should not stimulate Russia and NATO should not be involved in the war.

Do you not set "no-fly zone"?

The United States does not intend to go beyond the "non-participation range" even with strong requests from Ukraine.


The symbol of this is the setting of no-fly zones.


A no-fly zone is an airspace that prohibits aircraft from entering in order to prevent attacks from fighter aircraft in enemy countries.



Ukraine has repeatedly requested the United States and NATO to prevent attacks from the air by Russian troops, but the United States and others are negative.


This is because setting a no-fly zone is directly linked to "Reason 3. I can't fight Russia."


It means to stay vigilant in the sky and shoot down if an enemy plane comes in.


If a NATO aircraft were to shoot down a Russian aircraft, it could lead to a full-scale collision with Russia.

What is the line that should not be crossed?

The line that must not be crossed was tested when President Zelensky asked for a fighter and Poland responded.



Poland announced on March 8 that it would provide a former Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter that Ukrainian soldiers are accustomed to maneuvering.


However, the recipient was the United States, not Ukraine.


If Poland provided it directly, it could be involved in a military clash due to a retaliatory attack from Russia, so it was a proposal to have the United States and NATO take responsibility for transportation.


However, the reaction of the United States was unspeakable, "I don't think Poland's proposal is feasible."



Again, Pentagon spokesman Kirby cites concerns that Russia could lead to strong opposition and be dragged into a military clash.

In fact, Russia warns that cooperation with Ukraine, such as the use of air force bases for transport purposes, "may be considered a party to a military clash."

Will you not fight in the future?

Richard Haass, chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, which also influences US foreign policy, points out that Russia's actions to overwhelm others by force are a challenge to the international order itself.

"The world operates on certain principles. The most basic of which is that national sovereignty and borders are respected. We must not be allowed to change this by force. Russian military If the invasion is allowed, other countries will come out and think that it is okay to do the same thing, and the world will be in turmoil. "



The three reasons why the United States does not send troops will change for the time being. There is none.


However, there is room for change in the interpretation of the "line that must not be crossed" that determines the limits of support.



How far are you prepared to take steps to protect America's values ​​such as international order and democracy?


It is necessary to look not only at the local war situation and diplomatic movements, but also at the US and international public opinion.



(Kouhei Tsuji, Washington Bureau)