Mr. Biden’s remark that a “minor incursion” into Ukraine by Russia would not be a Casus Belli can be compared to the Truman Secretary of State’s speech in early 1950 putting South Korea outside America’s zone of interest in the Pacific. Mr. Truman did not cause the Korean War, it was planned by the Norks and the Chinese long before, but Acheson’s speech gave the Russians the go-ahead to support the North’s attack on the South and a war-weary America found herself embroiled in a bloody conflict on the Korean peninsula – an undeclared war that resulted in over 36,000 dead American soldiers, airmen, and marines, thousands more of our allies, and millions of Koreans. Diplomatic missteps are often the precursors to war. 

Did Mr. Biden’s remark while away from his handlers and his teleprompter give Mr. Putin permission to undertake an all-out war against Ukraine? Probably not. Historians will argue the point ad terminus, and the political leaning of the historian will guide his/her analysis. But it did give Putin an illusory assurance that the United States would not take swift action to counter his invasion. It was an illusion. While we must not directly engage in conflict with the Russians in Ukraine, we also cannot stand idly by and allow Mr. Putin to continue the rape of a neighbor country; a rape that began and left unopposed when Mr. Obama was president and Mr. Biden his vice. 

So, regardless of whether or not Mr. Biden gave Mr. Putin permission to take over portions of Ukraine is irrelevant at this point, The United States and likeminded nations must treat Russia as a pariah in the family of nations. Russia must be cut off from markets, finances, transport, and all other means of intercourse with the rest of the world. This invasion must cost far more than any gain that could occur for continuing it. Those who value peace must supply the Ukrainians with every means available to resist the invasion, and I applaud Mr. Biden, the Germans, the Swedes, and others for stepping up now and providing weapons and equipment for the task. 

As Christians, we should pray for Ukraine. Pray that they might be strengthened in their resolve to resist. Pray that their enemy, and Putin is their enemy, might stumble and fall. Pray for Putin’s removal as the dictator of Russia by whatever means God ordains and that Russia might take her place in peaceful concourse with her neighbors. And pray for those distressed, dislocated, and fleeing as refugees from an unwarranted conflict. May God grant Ukraine victory as he once granted victory to little Judah over mighty Assyria. 

Let us follow our prayers with our dollars. The wounded must be mended. The homeless must be housed. The hungry must be fed. And the partisans must be armed. Pray for Ukraine with both petition to God and dollars to the people.