Ukraine invasion: US imposes limited sanctions under pressure to do more

The limits of power, unity and cohesion of the US and NATO are being tested by Moscow, whose limited incursion into pro-Russian regions in Ukraine on Monday resulted in much-handedness and limited sanctions.

Biden The White House has indicated more sanctions are being imposed, even as it wrestles over a determination whether the Russian action constitutes a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Washington warned. Granted that this would result in unprecedented sanctions on an epic scale.

Nothing like this has happened so far. Russian President Vladimir Putin, first by recognizing two Russian-majority separatist pockets in Ukraine’s Donbass region as independence entities, signing a security aid agreement with them, and then sending what he describes as a “peacekeeper”. has put America in a bind as to how to proceed. Militarists and hardliners in Washington are pushing for full punitive sanctions and more, including increased military aid to Ukraine, but pragmatists want a more measured, proportionate approach.

Disagreements in Washington came to the fore during a background briefing within hours of the Russian incursion when a senior administration official told reporters that Russian forces were “absolutely present” in the Donbass region and so we are going to look at it very closely. That’s what they do.” In the coming hours and days, and our response will be measured again according to their actions.”
“The move of Russian troops to the Donbass would not be a new step in itself. Russia has had forces in the Donbass region for the past eight years … they are apparently now deciding to do this in a more open and open manner But this has been the situation in that region and that is a big part of why it has been so volatile since 2014,” the official said.

It appears from the comments that the US is unwilling to impose all the punitive sanctions it warned would result in aggression. A Russian diplomat ridiculed the threat, saying Moscow doesn’t “crap” about sanctions, and if anything, it would further strengthen Russia.

But out-of-government radicals generally raged about the need to punish Russia more severely. David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser, tweeted, “This could be a Churchillian moment for @POTUS. We can’t stand idly and watch Putin snatch Ukraine, crush its democracy and the world.” pat your nose on it,” although he warned that “the ban Biden has promised will undoubtedly require sacrifices from Americans as well.” This concern also seems constrained to some of Washington’s NATO allies, who fear a lack of energy if the situation worsens.

President Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the White House said on Monday, shortly after the Russian incursion.

“President Biden strongly condemns Russian President Putin’s decision to reportedly recognize the “independence” of Ukraine’s so-called DNR and LNR regions. He updates President Zelensky on the United States’ response, including our plan to issue sanctions …(and) reiterated that the United States, along with its allies and partners, will respond swiftly and decisively to advancing Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

But Zelensky himself appeared adamant about the developments, saying there would not be an all-out war against Ukraine, and widespread escalation from Russia, but “if there is, we will put Ukraine on a war footing.”

Zelensky, describing Russia’s actions as “legal aggression” to build a “strong foundation” for a possible military escalation in the Russian-backed eastern detached regions, told reporters in Kiev that Moscow’s actions were “on sovereignty and territorial integrity”. attack”. the integrity of Ukraine”, but called for further dialogue between the two states.

23 February, 2022, 9:55 pm