Ukraine & Biden: Free World at Stake

As Ukraine waits in the looming shadow of a potential Russian invasion, the question on everyone’s mind — most of all Vladimir Putin’s — is just how far President Biden is willing to go to enforce the rules of international order and protect our democratic friends. The president’s latest moves have been encouraging: He has positioned more U.S. troops into NATO countries and prepared heavy sanctions on Kremlin officials and their families should Russia invade.

The problem is that these moves have come much too late, suggesting that the president’s heart is not in them. Instead of leading with strength, he has played up to Moscow’s escalations, allowing Putin to drive each successive stage of the crisis. Perhaps most damaging is that he has telegraphed his determination never to send U.S. troops or provide air support to Ukraine. Strong presidents never take options off the table, and we cannot be surprised if Putin now doubts whether we really care what he does to Ukraine.

RW

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Roger Wicker

Roger Wicker, ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, represents Mississippi in the U.S. Senate.

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As Ukraine waits in the looming shadow of a potential Russian invasion, the question on everyone’s mind — most of all Vladimir Putin’s — is just how far President Biden is willing to go to enforce the rules of international order and protect our democratic friends. The president’s latest moves have been encouraging: He has positioned more U.S. troops into NATO countries and prepared heavy sanctions on Kremlin officials and their families should Russia invade.

The problem is that these moves have come much too late, suggesting that the president’s heart is not in them. Instead of leading with strength, he has played up to Moscow’s escalations, allowing Putin to drive each successive stage of the crisis. Perhaps most damaging is that he has telegraphed his determination never to send U.S. troops or provide air support to Ukraine. Strong presidents never take options off the table, and we cannot be surprised if Putin now doubts whether we really care what he does to Ukraine.