November 14, 2024
Biden’s Gloves Can Finally Come Off to Help Trump End the Ukraine War
Donald Trump has pledged to swiftly seek a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. This is a worthy goal: The war has already killed or injured 1 million people and caused $500 billion of damage in Ukraine. It is also on a bleak trajectory, as Russia strives to exhaust Ukrainian forces in a bloody war of attrition.
The Biden administration never put forward a plausible vision for ending the war. But it can help Trump’s worthwhile peace efforts by taking long-overdue steps that would strengthen Trump’s hand at the negotiating table.
The Biden administration’s reasons to treat Russian oil with kid gloves, in other words, no longer apply.
As Ukraine’s most important weapons supplier, the United States already possesses ample leverage over Kyiv. But its key leverage over Moscow — sanctions — has eroded over the past 18 months as the Biden administration has failed to close major loopholes.
President Joe Biden’s hesitance was driven largely by political considerations. Ramping up sanctions on Russian oil was seen as too risky, as it might spike oil prices, worsen inflation and undercut Democrats’ chances in the 2024 election.
Read the full article on The Washington Post.
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