The Biden Administration’s response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Editor’s Note: This piece was written before the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine and does not consider recent events.

Introduction

The post-Soviet region has become increasingly volatile. Since 2014, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been escalating, starting when the Russian military entered Ukrainian territory and reclaimed Crimea. Tensions stirred again in December 2021, when Russia released a list of demands and more recently, stationed troops near the Ukrainian border.

Campus Conservative, Marisa Powers

As tensions between Ukraine and Russia have increased, the Biden administration has changed their position from saying a “minor incursion” by Russia into Ukraine would not be heavily punished by the United States. President Biden delivered an update on the conflict in which he discussed his administration’s plans in the event that Russia attacks. He stated, “The United States and our Allies and partners around the world are ready to impose powerful sanctions on [and] export controls […] And when it comes to Nord Stream 2, the pipeline that would bring natural gas from Russia to Germany, if Russia further invades Ukraine, it will not happen.” The US has also supplied the Ukrainian military with equipment, and he stated our continued support of Ukraine. 

However, there are some areas in which they could demonstrate a stronger stance. For instance, Vice President Kamala Harris was sent to Europe for the Munich Conference to deliver a speech about the Ukraine crisis and to meet with leaders such as Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy. However, Harris’ diplomatic experience is limited to her work with the Southern border crisis, and former deputy secretary of defense for policy James Anderson remarked that “she is relatively unknown among allied leaders and diplomats who will gather in Munich.” I also believe they could have acted sooner in threatening sanctions on Russia because according to former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, “Putin is a bully who responds to strength.” 

While the administration has made some moves in the right direction, they still need to strengthen their hand vis-à-vis Russia. 

Campus Liberal, Tasha Khosla

Despite previous weaknesses in the Biden administration’s foreign policy, President Biden’s firmness towards the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been a source of strength.  

Committing allegiance to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), President Biden had approved the deployment of 3,000 troops to Poland, Romania, and Germany to increase NATO influence in Eastern Europe as Russian troops remain at Ukraine’s border. Biden commented, “It’s totally consistent with what I told Putin in the beginning […] As long as he’s acting aggressively, we’re going to make sure we reassure our NATO allies and Eastern Europe we’re there.” Approving this deployment cements Biden’s commitment to NATO. Furthermore, it sends a clear signal: there will be consequences if Russia escalates the situation. 

Still, President Biden’s policies of deterrence and transparency need to be revised. Rather than referring to a potential invasion as a “minor incursion”, Biden needs to commit to his policy of being “transparent with the American people and with the world about Russia’s plans and the seriousness of the situation.” The consequences of an invasion of Ukraine by Russia are severe and can drastically alter the lives of the American people. 

Ultimately, the fallout of the Russia-Ukraine conflict will prove the effectiveness and strength of the Biden Administration. Ukraine is not an official member of NATO and the U.S. has no obligation to intervene. However, intervention could serve the interests of the Ukrainian people. Fortifying Ukraine through increased military aid and protecting its citizens needs to take precedence as the conflict intensifies.

Conclusion

While both sides disagree on the overall effectiveness of Biden’s foreign policy, they agree that Ukrainian sovereignty and independence are vital to world peace and security.

This article is written by Tasha Khosla & Marisa Powers.

The Conversation is an Opinion column written by two students of opposing political viewpoints, used to discuss current events from different perspectives.