I believe it was purely for reasons of expansion. I don’t know exactly what our response should have been, but we need to at least acknowledge that Ukraine is defending their sovereignty and Putin/Russia are the aggressors. We should support them at least minimally.
The only thing I disagree with is the last sentence. We should support majorly as the alternative, Ukraine actually losing, is going to potentially cost us so much more.
If China knows we will send a little here and there, then abbandon it once it starts tickling our well filled wallets, it could very well motivate a hostile takeover of Taiwan. That would absolutely shock our way of life as practically all advanced silicone is produced there.
That, and both China and Russia both not being particulary well known for their humane treatment of political and ideological enemies…
And if it worked for both of them, why would they stop there?
I do agree with you. I don’t like the fact that we are the ones with all of the weapons and military might, but this does seem like a good exception. If we have these weapons and want to play the worlds policeman this seems like a place to use those weapons.