Amid a litany of missed chances and missteps, the Biden administration’s policy blunders and hesitant strategies shaped the US response to Putin’s war against Ukraine.
In his final weeks as president, Joe Biden has taken decisive actions to support Ukraine. In addition to continuing the disbursement of congressionally approved aid, the White House has imposed stringent sanctions on Russia’s oil industry and targeted its “ghost fleet” of oil tankers.
These measures have already resulted in some ships being denied entry to Chinese ports, with India announcing plans to follow suit. While these sanctions are a welcome development, they echo much of Biden’s presidency: too little, too late.
It was always obvious that targeting oil exports was the best tool to keep Vladimir Putin in check. However, despite intelligence reports indicating an impending invasion of Ukraine, Biden made the foolish decision to lift sanctions on Nord Stream 2 in May 2021, further entrenching Europe’s economic and energy dependence on Russia.
According to Bob Woodward’s book, “War,” Biden’s team collectively bears responsibility for the mismanagement of the Ukraine crisis. Notably, CIA Director William Burns, a former US ambassador to Moscow, failed to take Putin’s threats seriously – despite his extensive experience, consistent intelligence warnings, and explicit statements from Putin signaling his intent to invade. Burns’ misjudgment in July 2021 exemplifies the broader failures of Biden’s administration.
Biden’s misunderstanding of the Putin regime is not surprising, given his tenure as Vice President under Barack Obama. The Obama administration infamously pursued a “reset” with the Kremlin and refrained from arming Ukraine during Russia’s initial 2014 invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Key players from that era, such as Jake Sullivan, remain influential in Biden’s administration as national security advisor.
As Anders Åslund has observed, Sullivan argued that threatening to deploy US troops in Ukraine would provoke Putin into escalating further rather than deterring him. Sullivan also opposed establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine or guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. These strategies effectively hampered Ukraine’s ability to achieve a decisive victory. Burns aligned closely with Sullivan’s cautious approach, supported by influential figures like Samuel Charap.
Charap, a close associate of Sullivan, wrote in Foreign Policy on Jan. 21, 2022 – just one month before Russia’s full-scale invasion – an essay titled “The West’s Weapons Won’t Make Any Difference to Ukraine.” Charap argued that US military aid would neither meaningfully assist Ukraine nor deter Putin. Ironically, Charap holds the position of Distinguished Chair in Russia and Eurasia Policy at the RAND Corporation, widely regarded as the Pentagon’s think tank.
As Biden prepares to leave office with some of the lowest approval ratings of any president, the question remains: does he recognize the consequences of his administration’s missteps? His recent decisions to bolster support for Ukraine suggest he may.
However, the tragedy lies in missed opportunities. Instead of decisively defeating Russia, key advisers like Sullivan, Burns, and Charap – who believed they could negotiate with Putin or broker peace – exerted too much influence over a president who lacked the resolve to act boldly.
https://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/45532
“However, the tragedy lies in missed opportunities. Instead of decisively defeating Russia, key advisers like Sullivan, Burns, and Charap – who believed they could negotiate with Putin or broker peace – exerted too much influence over a president who lacked the resolve to act boldly.”
This gang of cowards are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians, and the destruction of countless towns and villages. I hope they all rot in hell.
Of course these cowards will frame the narrative in a such a way that they were great. More people need to read the truth in reading Bob Woodward’s book, War. It’s a fascinating chronicle and deeply sad.
Biden on MSNBC
“Biden said he assured Putin that Ukraine had no nuclear weapons left, adding that the Russian dictator feared that Kyiv “would launch nuclear missiles at Moscow tomorrow” if the Ukrainians had the opportunity.”
Why did he feel the need to “assure” the rat nazi?
“I assured him that there are no nuclear weapons there (in Ukraine – UNIAN) and we will not return them. I said that they will not become part of NATO until they change their system.”
“Everyone warned me… I didn’t think Putin would dare to eliminate the American president. I was more worried that radical elements in Ukraine who were under the control of or cooperating with the Russians might try to do it,” he said.”
Blatant kowtowing to the putler murder gang. How dare the fuckwit say that that Ukraine and not putlerstan must “change their system?”
Fucking outrageous.
Trumpkov has always been revoltingly deferential to putler; before and since the commencement of the putler genocide. That’s taken as read. But Biden, after the commencement of the genocide, behaving in such a deferential manner as if putler is an equal, is disgusting and demeaning to Ukraine.
The term “fumbled” sounds too innocuous. The Biden administration’s handling of this war was atrocious and downright criminal. The constant refusals to send this or that, and then sending things too late and in too little numbers, cost human lives. Perhaps no one will ever know the true cost in lives that Biden’s mishandling of this war has caused. For them, it’s too late. They are dead and buried, rotting underground, thanks to the fear that has guided Biden and the West.
Speaking of which, it wasn’t only Biden. It shall never be forgotten that the collective West screwed up royally.
FEAR is NEVER a good companion when fighting against pure evil. Boldness and courage are what’s needed, like the great Churchill possessed.
Things can get even worse in the next few weeks, or they could get better. I wouldn’t want to bet my house on the outcome of team Trump’s handling of the war criminal.
I place my hope on two things, should a worse case scenario happen, although they are iffy; Europe, seeing the need to ramp up its efforts if the orange man child pulls out, and the orange man child’s promise being fulfilled to pump lots more oil.
I put my hope on Ukrainian courage, tenacity, ingenuity and the love of freedom.
🇺🇦🇺🇦❤️
All the right ingredients for victory!
Under Biden the United States refused to defend Ukraine in case of full-scale aggression even before it took place, although intel was leaked. Biden was muzzlim-Nazi-obummer’s vice and did the ‘right thang’. Not defend WHITE folks. Congrats and GFY!!!