Biden’s Inner Circle Feared Sanctions Wouldn’t Stop Putin

U.S. officials spent hundreds of hours over five months debating, crafting and then touting a punishing array of economic sanctions to try to scare Russian President Vladimir Putin off invading Ukraine, but almost from the beginning, many shared the same view: This strategy probably won’t work.

Those concerns became reality Thursday when Russian forces attacked targets across Ukraine and Putin vowed to “demilitarize” the country and replace its leaders. Ukraine’s government called the Russian offensive a “full-scale invasion.” In a statement late on Wednesday night, U.S. President Joe Biden said that he would imminently announce “further consequences” for Russia, in addition to sanctions unveiled earlier in the week. 

Biden on Tuesday had set out a partial “first tranche” of sanctions — a modest package that underwhelmed political observers and financial markets. He followed up with additional measures the following day, including sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG, the company that built the $11 billion natural gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany. Biden’s aides have said they’re holding heavier punishments in store — but behind the scenes, there’s persistent skepticism about the strategy.

More than a dozen current and former U.S. officials, many of whom helped assemble the response, told Bloomberg News they’ve been deeply dubious that sanctions would change Putin’s behavior. Yet after Biden made clear last year that the U.S. would not send troops or heavy weapons to Ukraine, there were no other solid options. It was left to his team to try to prove, for the first time, that the threat of economic warfare against a major adversary like Russia would suffice when military deterrence wasn’t an option.

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[rayepps]

I just wanted to thank the democrats and their wonderful policies. New York and California are the pinnacle of humanity. It doesn't get better then this. Finally getting my Crack pipe 40 YEARS LATER.

[gorishokgo]

I'm resident of kyiv, Ukraine. Please help . Rocket barrages all around my country. Please help our armed forces . We having badly wounded civilians and military. Don't be aside

[james]

Invading America is called “equity”. Invading Ukraine is called a war crime. Let’s go Brandon!!💯👍🏽🇺🇸

[Eragon]

Fire all these 20 something "news anchors" and hire some serious people.
Reopen Keystone XL and end dependence on Russian oil and stop this green energy bullshit.

[oogaboogamaxine]

Biden’s inner circle also fears the coming red wave in the midterms 😂

[UAkovalchuk]

I'm Ukrainian and I beg for help from USA!!!

[chronicbullets]

Only a fool would think it would work in the first place.