4/15/21
PRESIDENT BIDEN pledged he would end former president Donald Trump’s inexcusable refusal to hold Russia accountable for intervening in U.S. elections, hacking government agencies and, quite possibly, sponsoring attacks on U.S. soldiers and diplomats. On Thursday, Mr. Biden acted — in a distinctly measured way. The White House announced the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats and sanctions on a number of companies and individuals. But it did not target the foundations of Vladimir Putin’s power, and so did less than it could have to deter Mr. Putin’s malign activities. The administration called the new sanctions “sweeping,” and compared with the grudging steps previously taken by Mr. Trump, they were. But punches were pulled. U.S. banks were banned from purchasing ruble-denominated Russian debt, but only in the primary market; other international investors will likely still buy Russian bonds knowing they can be resold to U.S. institutions. Six Russian cyber firms were targeted, all of which have close ties to the military or intelligence agencies. But Russian energy and mineral firms that bring in the bulk of the country’s foreign earnings were left untouched — as were the several dozen oligarchs who prop up the regime and manage Mr. Putin’s personal wealth.
The administration did not respond at all to the most serious allegations concerning Russia: that it paid bounties for the killing of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and sponsored the mysterious attacks that seriously injured U.S. diplomats and spies in Moscow, Havana and China. White House officials said the package was carefully calibrated in the hope that the Biden administration can still induce Mr. Putin to cooperate in some areas. U.S. policy, one told reporters, “will involve a mix of significant pressure and finding ways to work together” — a point underlined by Mr. Biden’s suggestion of a summit meeting in a phone call with Mr. Putin on Tuesday. In theory, the two-track policy makes sense. But the U.S. moderation comes at a moment when Mr. Putin is acting more belligerently than ever. In recent weeks, Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine’s borders while threatening a war that would “destroy” the country. Meanwhile, the regime appears to be slowly murdering Mr. Putin’s leading opponent, Alexei Navalny, in a prison camp. If the Russian leader shrugs off these measures that have no effect on his power base, and continues seeking to disrupt the U.S. economy, political system and alliances, the Biden administration will have to be ready with fresh sanctions — ones with more bite than bark.
