Ukraine: military (Aug '14 to mid-June '15) closed

[carl]

applies

Starting WW3 isn't really an issue, since he knows the US is not going to fight Russia over the Ukraine. An announcement might suggest to him that it would be a good idea to speed up his timetable and act decisively before the proposed deliveries can take effect.

The Ukrainians seem to be doing reasonably well on the military side on their own, and of course overt US support would be an open excuse for the Russians to escalate their support.

We've heard a lot of talk about more Russian troops and equipment moving in, but is there any news suggesting a change in the momentum of the fighting?

Or the prospect of Russki bodies he actually cares a little about might cause him to rethink the whole thing.

This is one of those situations I think where what Grant said to the officers of the Army of the Potomac when he took over applies, he told them to stop thinking about what Bobby Lee was going to do to them and start thinking about what they were going to do to him.

(Also what Outlaw said.)