Honestly, I'm surprised the Ukraine didn't respond to Russia's threats by moving demolition crews to the natural gas pipeline between Europe and Russia.
That would have drug NATO into the war, and probably acted as a deterrent.
That would have drug NATO into the war, and probably acted as a deterrent.
FYI: today "Ukraine" is preferred over "The Ukraine" because "The Ukraine" can be understood to imply a region rather than a country.
I'm guessing "the Ukraine" will be a hard word to change in "The United States of America" though. "United States of America" could mean the old confederacy, or the Dakotas or something (assuming they're united in some cause)
Along similar lines, couldn't "ukraine" mean any of the Russian borders?
No, it wouldn't. Unless a NATO country is attacked, NATO cannot do anything. Individual countries can, though.