Biden Was Right About Russia

Unfortunately.

Photo by Loris on Unsplash.

“Instead of paving Russia’s path to greatness, invading Ukraine would ensure Mr. Putin’s infamy by leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically crippled and strategically vulnerable in the face of a stronger, more united Western alliance,” wrote former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for the New York Times today.

“Mr. Putin’s actions have triggered massive sanctions, with more to come if he launches a full-scale assault and attempts to seize the entire country. These would devastate not just his country’s economy but also his tight circle of corrupt cronies — who in turn could challenge his leadership,” concludes Albright before adding, ominously: “What is sure to be a bloody and catastrophic war will drain Russian resources and cost Russian lives — while creating an urgent incentive for Europe to slash its dangerous reliance on Russian energy.”

She is right, of course, as are others who have essentially concluded the same thing. Being right still leaves one major question unanswered:

Why doesn’t Putin care?

All this head-shaking and hand-wringing in the West is ignoring the elephant in the room, the biggest problem of all: The Western alliance of nations cannot impose any additional consequences on Vladimir Putin’s Russia than those it has already threatened.