Washington (CNN) -- The names involved in the escalating crisis in Ukraine -- Crimea, Sevastopol, Simferopol -- make it sound far away and far removed from America's allies and its interests. But the tensions there in fact hit very close to home for the United States. First, Ukraine is not a distant empire but an integral part of Europe. Its capital, Kiev, is just a short flight from cities Americans visit all the time: Rome, Frankfurt, Paris. And, it is neighbors with some of America's closest allies. Just along its western border are Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. All four are members of NATO and, as a result, the United States is obligated to defend them militarily if they come under threat.
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Ukraine uprising stokes Cold War tensions
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Ukrainian melting pot of cultures and loyalties complicates politics
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Russia's military intervention calls into question sanctity of international borders
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U.S., international community may have to accept Russian annexation of Crimea, if it occurs
Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukrainian
"Bear in mind, in eastern Ukraine, while the majority of the people there may speak Russian, it's still a majority population that are ethnic @placeholder.
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Ukraine
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Ukrainian
The only place in @placeholder where Russians are an ethnic majority is Crimea."
Crimea
Crimea
The only place in Ukraine where Russians are an ethnic majority is @placeholder."
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Crimea
It's a very big distinction between eastern Ukraine and @placeholder.
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Russia is claiming that ethnic Russians in @placeholder are calling for Russian help, a claim with little so far to support it on the ground.
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Russian
This is an essential tool for projecting @placeholder military power abroad.