Fortunately, this week it became clear that the Biden government recognizes this need and has made it a strategic element of its foreign and national security policy efforts. On Monday, after a visit to Ukraine with Foreign Minister Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “We want to see Russia weakened to the point where it can not do what it did when it invaded Ukraine.” Although a senior US official admitted to me (somewhat anxiously) that “Austin said the quiet part out loud”, it soon became clear that the US was publicly willing to take on the new goal of overturning Russia’s unprovoked, violent escalation of the eight – the war in Ukraine in a permanent and substantial defeat for the Kremlin. In Germany on Tuesday – at a meeting of the “Ukrainian Defense Advisory Group” (a gathering of countries from around the world committed to supporting Ukraine’s war effort) – Secretary Austin said it was the US belief that Ukraine could to win the war with Russia. Austin spokesman John Kirby said: “We do not want a Russia capable of exerting that kind of influence in Europe or anywhere in the world.” Minister Blinken – who a month ago said the war in Ukraine would lead to a “strategic defeat” for Russia and earlier this month said Russia had already suffered such a defeat – told Congress on Tuesday that must fully fund the State Department budget. in order to ensure a “strategic failure” for Russia. Senior National Security Council (NSC) officials have reiterated that this is a new, explicit goal of the United States and its allies. US statements are not mere rhetoric. Talks with senior US officials at the State Department, the Pentagon and the White House underscore that these goals are backed by a multifaceted, intensive effort by senior officials. Providing Ukraine with all the support it needs is at the heart of the West’s efforts, and coordinating that effort will be the goal of the multinational advisory group, which will meet on a monthly basis from now on. Of course, the fact that Russia continues to make decisions that are not only morally reprehensible but also disastrous for its army and country helps the effort. The losses suffered by the Russian forces are catastrophic. Estimates of those killed in the first two months of the war range from 15,000 to more than 20,000 — with tens of thousands more injured or abandoned. The United Kingdom’s Secretary of Defense, Ben Wallace, estimates that these figures represent a 25 percent reduction in Russia’s invasion combat capability. Russia’s economy has been hit hard by sanctions. Estimates show that the crisis will wipe out more than a decade and a half of Russian development. The Russian Ministry of Economy itself predicts that the economy will shrink by 8.8% to 12.4% this year. Senior US officials have noted that Russia is suffering from deep self-harm in other ways. His failures on the battlefield and the clear commission of war crimes have made it increasingly difficult — even for those countries with which he has close ties or which have sought to remain neutral at the beginning of this war — to gain any significant international support. . A senior US national security official said Russia’s disastrous performance to date had affected Moscow’s relations with China, India, Turkey and Israel. The official added that, as indicated by the defeat of the Russian-backed far-right candidate for the presidency of France Marine Le Pen, those “connected with Russia” have not been helped politically by Russia’s actions. That, it should be noted, did not prevent Senator Rand Paul from parroting Russian talk points at Tuesday’s Senate hearings with Secretary Blinken. Paul argued that the explanation for the Russian invasion was linked to a move by the Biden administration to admit Ukraine to NATO (a lie) and to the fact that Ukraine was “part of Russia”. Russia has stepped up damage to its international position and its own economy this week by cutting off gas supplies to two European NATO countries — Poland and Bulgaria — for refusing to pay for energy supplies in rubles, as it has demanded. Moscow. “Vladimir Putin started this war. “He did it because, in the past, world leaders were too weak, gullible or corrupt to resist him – to deprive him of the opportunity to combine the aggression of the past with further violence.” At the same time, the Biden government is actively working diplomatically to strengthen its ties with both its allies and those nations that have felt uncomfortable choosing to take sides in the conflict in Ukraine. The president, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary Austin and their deputies hold regular, frequent (virtual and live) meetings with their G7, NATO, EU, Quad counterparts. Indo-Pacific relationship (including India, Japan, Australia and the USA) and through mechanisms such as the advisory group mentioned above. These efforts will continue over the next six weeks with a host of high-level events, such as an ASEAN Summit in Washington, a trip to Japan and South Korea, a NATO Summit, and meetings with European leaders in Spain in June. The United States is working closely with Finland and Sweden, as well as with NATO partners, to ensure that the two Nordic countries can join the alliance quickly — if they so choose. The United States is also working to upgrade NATO capabilities along its border with Russia. In particular, a special initiative has been taken to find areas of common interest with “new non-aligned” countries. The move, according to officials involved, was characterized not by a desire to raise the issue of a decision by some countries not to support Ukraine’s military effort, but to focus on ways in which the United States can provide assistance or address specific bilateral issues. . This would not only strengthen US ties, but also help them gain an advantage in what is emerging as a time of strategic competition — not only with Russia but also with China. These demands – freezing Russia’s defeat in Ukraine and strengthening US alliances and friendships for an upcoming period of potential rivalry and periodic tensions – are replacing US diplomatic priorities over the past two decades that have focused heavily on counterterrorism. Thanks to Russia’s own blunders and the efforts of the United States and its allies, the picture for Moscow and Putin is bleak day by day — regardless of the final settlement of the war in Ukraine without an American or NATO soldier shoot. When this war is over, NATO will be bigger. Russia’s border with NATO would increase by almost 1,000 miles, and if Finland and Sweden join NATO, its position vis-.-Vis the Baltic Sea and the Arctic will be significantly weakened. NATO’s defense investments are sure to increase, and NATO resources growing closer to the Russian border are sure to increase. The United States alone has already committed more than $ 4 billion to security in Ukraine since President Biden took office, and a major new funding initiative is expected “very soon,” according to a senior State Department official. Russia’s economy is in shambles and its future looks bleak as Europe seeks to end its dependence on Russian energy. Even the once-delayed Germany is picking up its pace significantly. Ukraine will certainly emerge stronger with significant promises of aid, and a rapid entry into the EU is already in the spotlight. Vladimir Putin started this war. He did it because, in the past, world leaders were too weak, gullible or corrupt to resist him – to deprive him of the opportunity to combine the aggression of the past with further barbarism. Now, at last, he has faced opposition from Ukraine, Brussels and Washington who have decided not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Their goal is both ambitious and worthy. But it deserves our support because it is the only way to lasting peace along Europe’s border with Russia.
