Unable to solve economic problems, the radicals will continue with fervor to impose their terror on the people, first outlawing the use of Russian language, then harassing the Russian population, and finally exercising repressions on the pro-Russian political forces even via the use of armed gangs to assert control over the East and South. I do not exclude the possibility of armed clashes between the radical nationalists and the pro-Russian forces in the East, South, and especially in Crimea. The consequences maybe ominous.

Americans ought to understand this: under Congressional and organized group pressure, American administrations have been frequently exhorted, and still are, to bomb this or that country, or to intervene in the domestic affairs of other countries—this happened with Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, Syria; countries, which 99% of Americans can likely not find on a map and to whom they represent only distant territories. Thus both politicians and citizenry should understand that the growth of chaos and violence in one’s own backyard that could endanger millions of Russians and their families cannot leave Russian political circles and society impartial to the situation.

I would like to only remind the readers of the great words of Secretary of State General Haig under President Reagan uttered in the midst of the Cold War which seem especially important—that “there are things more important than peace.” God forbid that the Ukrainian situation should escalate to the point that Russian generals and politicians can repeat his words.

Andranik Migranyan is Director of the Institute for Democracy and Cooperation.

Image: Creative Commons/Wiki/Mstyslav Chernov.