In 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in the capture and occupation of the Crimean Peninsula.
Then President Obama and Vice President Biden responded by imposing the “strongest possible sanctions” to force Russia out of Crimea. They also promised additional sanctions unless Russia withdrew. Meanwhile, the administration maintained a strict policy of providing Ukraine with humanitarian aid and refusing to provide military aid.
Eight years later, Russia still occupies Crimea.
In Feb 2020, presidential hopeful Joe Biden, proud of the job he did in 2014, claimed in a Tweet; “Vladimir Putin doesn’t want me to be President. He doesn’t want me to be our nominee. If you’re wondering why — it’s because I’m the only person in this field who’s ever gone toe-to-toe with him.”
Two years later in Feb 2022, after weeks of meetings, phone calls, political posturing, and threats by US President Joe Biden, Russia has invaded Ukraine again, capturing even more territory.
Now President Biden has responded just as they did in 2014 by imposing “strong and severe sanctions” against Russia, with the promise of additional sanctions unless Russia withdraws from Ukraine. He also promised, in the strongest possible terms, there would be no military response by the US in Ukraine.
For months, Biden has been threatening Russia with sanctions if they took military action against Ukraine. Now that Russia has begun it’s invasion, Biden say the threat of sanctions was never meant to prevent Russia from invading. He also says Russia will not likely feel the effects of these “strong and severe” sanctions for months. He explained that we and our allies need to be patient and remain resolute- while Ukrainians are dying, and Russian troops are rolling through Ukraine.
Considering how well this strategy worked in 2014, what do you think will happen this time?