From already high gas prices rising, to possible cyber security attacks on all levels of government and business, officials and experts say the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will test how the United States operates as a nation. 

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On Wednesday, the Biden administration officially imposed sanctions on Russia, beginning with the critical Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline.

As inflation levels rise, Americans could see a second hit to their pocketbooks— the possible price of helping those looking to the U.S. as an example, says U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen). 

"There's always a possibility of an issue impacting our country because of sanctions on Russia," Gonzalez said. "But, we have to stick to our American principles in assuring that democracy continues to be the hope of the world."

David Fisher, an associate history professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, says this is a turning point for all countries around the world. 

"This is a place where really democracy, I think, is running up against the idea of authoritarianism," Fisher said. 

As Russia postures for war, Fisher says Ukrainians now fearing for their lives are similar to us here in the Valley. 

"Just imagine if the United States said, 'Well, the Valley and Northern Mexico are so similar, let's just extend the border. There's economic resources there. We control the river and everything else,'" Fisher said. "Or why wouldn't Mexicans maybe say, 'South Texas is so similar to Northern Mexico, why don't we just extend the border?"

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