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
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