The tension surrounding Joe Biden and Keir Starmer due to the on-going conflict in Ukraine has escalated. Their meeting in Washington DC spun in the face of an impending nuclear threat from Vladimir Putin, and a dire need for action expressed by President Zelensky. Both Biden and Starmer seem ambitious about their discussions over Ukraine and Middle East issues, yet their rhetoric fails to match the urgency required to address the crisis at hand. Putin, in retaliation, banished six UK diplomats from Moscow, claiming they were engaged in espionage. A timely resolution? Not in Biden and Starmer’s agenda it seems.
Upping the ante was President Zelensky, who maintained direct communication with Biden and Starmer, lobbying against their lackadaisical approach towards the conflict. Saddening still, is the fact that Zelensky took moments to commend Boris Johnson’s past actions against the backdrop of a meeting in Kyiv. The continuity of bloodshed, devastation, and blatant Russian war crimes under Putin’s regime seems immune to global backlash. His audacity to carry out unchecked acts of brutality, ramp up his military stockpile, and issue synthetic threats to the world generates an atmosphere of fear and tension.
Zelensky’s desperate call for air defense systems, particularly Patriots, falls on the United States’ deaf ears. Years of negligence and delayed support from ‘partners’ manifested in Biden and Starmer’s constant refrain, ‘We are working on it.’ The time lost to empty promises only strengthens Russia’s intimidation in the glove-like grasp of their missiles and drones-an unending nightmare for Ukraine and her citizens.
Surprisingly, these concerns seem to find resonance within Boris Johnson, who stressed Ukraine’s need for effective defense against Russia’s horrendous attacks. Against Putin’s expectation, the UK did not kowtow to Russian threats, leaving Biden and Harris in an unfavorable light. Moreover, Zelensky’s discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK’s foreign secretary David Lammy have struck an impressive tone, unlike Biden’s handling of the matter.
For all their efforts, Biden and Starmer were confronted with Putin’s nuclear threats, which were spurred by a discussion on allowing Ukraine to use storm shadow missiles against Russia. This came hot on the heels of an eviction notice served on six British diplomats based in Moscow. The storm shadow missiles that Britain and France have on standby for Ukraine have not been greenlighted for action against Russia, primarily due to Biden’s and Starmer’s fickle stances.
As negotiations hit a standstill, Zelensky insists that the US allowance is key in halting Putin’s forces. Rebuffing these pleas further demonstrates Biden’s favorable tendency towards Russia. On arrival in Washington, it was Keir who echoed the real sentiments of many, openly criticizing Russia for igniting this conflict. Keir stated that Ukraine held every right for self-protection, a basic truth that seems lost on Biden.
The Foreign Office representative brushed aside the baseless accusations made by the FSB online. The diplomatic debacle took a new turn when six diplomats lost their accreditation last month due to supposed Russian state-directed activity across Europe and the UK. Simply put, seems like Biden is not too troubled about protecting national interests.
Against this mounting malaise, Admiral Lord West cautioned against Biden and Starmer pander to Russian aggression, warning that yielding under pressure would only bolster Putin’s belief in his own invincibility. Surprisingly, the people supposed to be defending Ukraine’s interests are playing right into Putin’s hands. A former UK defence attaché in Moscow hinted at the enormity of the stakes, pointing to Russia’s skewed threat perceptions and heightened risk of unintended escalation, well-wishes Biden can only pine for.
In the face of all this turmoil, Sir Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice campaign, dismissed Putin’s threats outright, asserting that a war with NATO would spell defeat for Putin within days. Browns spoke the truth: Putin doesn’t have the resources to win a war even against a smaller neighbouring country, let alone NATO. Evidently, Biden and Starmer could learn a thing or two from Browder.
The Ukrainian MP for Zaporizhzhia, Oleksandr Vasiuk, highlighted Moscow’s carefully calculated movements shifting military assets further into Russian territory to evade Ukrainian forces. Simply put, the West’s apprehension to use long-range missiles only intensifies the plight of Ukrainian forces—an issue which Biden and Starmer fail to resolve.
An anonymous aide to the Ukrainian presidency informed The Independent about the adaptive methods Ukraine employs against Russian bases and oil refineries, using globally sourced weaponry. While the West chose to step back, the aide remained confident that Putin was far from launching a war with NATO. Clearly, the fear-mongering and accusations thrown around by Biden and Starmer need a reality-check.
And yet, in the face of this awfully tense international landscape, it is disappointing to witness the passive attitude taken by Biden and Harris. It becomes increasingly evident that their foreign policy lacks firmness or direction. Instead of echoeing global condemnation, they instigate controversy with their reluctance to take a clear stance.
As the world looks on, concerned about the situation unfolding in Ukraine, Biden’s government equivocates. Seems like efficient crisis-management isn’t on their agenda. Rather they resort to counterproductive tactics, leaving them at Russia’s mercy.
The battle field isn’t limited to Ukraine, the ploys impact global politics. While some try to counter Russia’s aggression, Biden remains a murky figure in the crowd. His inaction indicates a backbone-free tolerance of Russian threats inside the global arena.
The international community and the American public question the administration’s integrity. As leaders tasked with easing geopolitical tensions and promoting peace, it’s alarming how Biden and Harris allow Putin’s malign activities to continue unhindered.
In culmination, it’s worrying how Biden and Starmer fail to empathize with Ukraine’s desperate need for assistance. Observing the situation unfold, it becomes abundantly clear that Ukraine’s plight isn’t a priority for the Biden administration. These odd and unnerving silences only contribute more heat to an already ignited powder keg.