ABC News quotes Eurasia Center Director John Herbst on the presence of Russian tanks in eastern Ukraine:
John Herbst, a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and now director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council, says it is “obvious” that the Obama administration is trying to downplay the significance of Russia’s military aggression to avoid an equally forceful response.
“If they say invasion, they’re afraid it will pressure them to take the strong actions that they are reluctant to take,” he said. “It would make people ask ‘Well, why isn’t our response stronger?’ And that’s a very good question.”
[…]
“I am unaware of any legal reason why they are not using the word invasion,” Herbst of the Eurasia Center said. “I believe it’s political.”