Ron Paul on Crimea: What’s the big deal, why does the US care?

 As everyone who is paying attention already knows, Crimea voted to become part of Russia over the weekend. Many politicians in Washington are upset and the Obama regime has said it will not accept the results of the vote.

  Ron Paul has a slightly different opinion which basically amount to this: what business is it of the United States what Crimea determines is in that country’s best interest?

  Here is part of what he said in an op-ed he wrote for USA Today:

Residents of Crimea voted over the weekend on whether they would remain an autonomous region of Ukraine or join the Russian Federation. In so doing, they joined a number of countries and regions — including recently Scotland, Catalonia and Venice — that are seeking to secede from what they view as unresponsive or oppressive governments.

These latter three are proceeding without much notice, while the overwhelming Crimea vote to secede from Ukraine has incensed U.S. and European Union officials, and has led NATO closer to conflict with Russia than since the height of the Cold War.

What’s the big deal? Opponents of the Crimea vote like to point to the illegality of the referendum. But self-determination is a centerpiece of international law. Article I of the United Nations Charter points out clearly that the purpose of the U.N. is to “develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.”

Why does the U.S. care which flag will be hoisted on a small piece of land thousands of miles away?

Critics point to the Russian “occupation” of Crimea as evidence that no fair vote could have taken place. Where were these people when an election held in an Iraq occupied by U.S. troops was called a “triumph of democracy”?

  I happen to agree wholeheartedly: how is this any of the United States’ business? What will we gain by interfering here and what are our national interests in becoming involved in a regional conflict?

  While I firmly believe that Vladimir Putin is emboldened because he rightfully feels as if Barack Obama is weak, and while I am embarrassed at the fact Russian officials are now openly mocking the United States of America, I fail to see any reason for us to get involved in edging the world closer to WWIII by supplying Ukraine with weapons, as John McCain has suggested.

  Perhaps I am being a naive isolationist here, and perhaps I am not seeing the bigger picture, and if that is the case I welcome people to enlighten me as to why Ron Paul and myself  are wrong about this issue.