It's European tradition to pay ransom
Was done for ages to the pirates of the Mediterranian. Then UNILATERALLY a US President used the US Marines to go half way across the world (a feat back then) and kick some serious pirate ass. Guess what? The US and then nobody else either had to pay.
"From the Halls of Montezuma to the SHORES OF TRIPOLI"
Maybe there's a lesson here someplace. Ya think?