The independence of Ukraine is indispensable.  A
Russian-Ukrainian confrontation would make Bosnia
look like a Sunday-school picnic.  Moscow should be
made to understand that any attempt to destabilize
Ukraine -- to say nothing of outright aggression --
would have devastating consequences for the Russian-
American relationship.  Ukrainian stability is in
the strategic interest of the United States.
 - Richard Nixon, Former U.S. President. New York
   Times, March 25, 1994.