<|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|>Responding to every bit of Russian propaganda "is counterproductive, because it is reactive and you are always behind the curve,” Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Benjamin Ziff tells senators in Washington, Nov. 3, 2015.
When<wm> asked about the role of the US military in supporting Ukraine: “We can’t speak for our political situation in Ukraine by expressing support that might strengthen Russia, and any support would need to be balanced in proportion to the actual Russian actions,” he says. 
He notes that if the US was going to support Ukraine, it should address the need more strategically, such as supporting democracy and free speech, rather than providing weapons and training that might provoke further conflict, if the US wasn't prepared and willing to</wm> engage in more targeted diplomacy, it could lead to escalate the conflict further into a bigger, more devastating