Demonstrating U.S. Resolve Against Russian Aggression: Why Now is the Time to Confront Putin

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Putin‘s strategy and the Ukraine War: A Path Forward

OPINION / EXPERT PERSPECTIVE – As we reach a temporary ceasefire in diplomatic progress aimed at ending the war in Ukraine – a war that has cost the lives of more than a million people and has caused billions of dollars in damage – there is still a path we haven’t yet taken: maximum pressure. As of now, no agreement has been reached, no breakthrough achieved, no path forward identified, but the events of the past couple of weeks have made a few things crystal clear.The first is that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of ending the war he started on anything other than his own terms, which have not changed as the war began. Putin wants to occupy all of Ukraine and if that is not achievable through force alone, he will do his best to turn the remainder of Ukraine into the 21st-century version of Vichy France.

Whatever contrary messaging Trump’s hopelessly overmatched envoy Steve Witkoff may have delivered,there can no longer be any doubt in President’s mind of Putin’s intentions.

As russia continues to bomb Ukrainian civilian targets throughout the period of negotiations including before and after the summit in Anchorage, Alaska, President Trump must now see clearly Putin’s love of brutality and his belief that he can win this war militarily.

It should also be clear to President Trump that his governance made a tactical and perhaps strategic blunder by granting Putin a meeting on U.S. soil with no concessions by the Russian side agreed to in advance. The U.S. move allowed Putin to end his diplomatic isolation, get a photo chance on U.S. soil for his constituents at home and seemingly disregard his history as an indicted war criminal.

Putin’s mind, the summit was a meeting of equals and it was represented as such in the Russian press. This, despite Russia being a superpower only in that it possesses a vast arsenal of nuclear weapons. The U.S. is a superpower economically, militarily, and culturally. These are the reasons why Anchorage was a big win for Putin and an embarrassment for the U.S. But we can still fix this.

the White House meeting that followed the Trump-Putin talks,was an impressive display of allied solidarity that included Ukraine and senior European leaders.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed that he had learned some lessons from his previous visit to the Oval Office, this time, frequently and effusively praising President Trump and thanking him for the support the U.S. has provided since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.Other NATO allies have clearly studied the playbook that Putin uses when manipulating Trump, managing to charm the U.S. president as thay did during the NATO summit in the netherlands earlier this summer. One hopes that President Zelensky and the other leaders effectively explained to President Trump the impossibility of Ukraine being able to accept Putin’s territorial demands, which aren’t only illegal under Ukraine’s constitution but in Donetsk, they would mean abandoning carefully prepared defensive positions and the abandonment of over 200,000 Ukrainians to Russian occupation. For many,that would be a death sentence or rapid deportation to Russia’s gulags.So far, the U.S. President has tried using flattery and accommodation bordering on appeasement to get Putin to end this war. It has not worked. He humiliated the Ukrainian President in the Oval Office to get him to do something he could not-agree to terms that signify a surrender. The U.S. has cut off military and intelligence support to Ukraine. Still,the Ukrainians fought on.

There is still time for the U.S. to act in a meaningful way.

The U.S. President has threatened Russia with “crushing” sanctions. But Putin played “rope-a-dope” and got a summit rather,postponing those sanctions. President Trump has set another deadline. The time for deadlines is over. It is time for action. The only path not tried is to apply maximum pressure on Putin and the Russian Federation.

Specifically:

1. Congress should immediately authorize further sanctions on Russia.
2. The President should use his authority to authorize the delivery of weapons to Ukraine.
3. The U.S. should intensify its commitment to help Ukraine defend its territory.

How might a perceived history of “muted responses” to Russian aggression influence Putin’s calculations regarding further actions?

The Shifting Geopolitical Landscape & Putin’s Calculus

For years, a consistent, firm response to Russian aggression – from the annexation of crimea in 2014 to ongoing cyberattacks and interference in democratic processes – has been debated within U.S. foreign policy circles. The current moment, however, demands a decisive shift. Putin’s actions in Ukraine, coupled with increasingly assertive rhetoric towards NATO members, necessitate a demonstration of unwavering U.S. resolve. This isn’t simply about Ukraine; it’s about deterring further escalation and safeguarding the international order. Understanding Putin’s decision-making process is crucial. He appears to operate under a cost-benefit analysis where perceived weakness is exploited and strength is respected.

Perceived Weakness: Years of relatively muted responses to previous transgressions have likely emboldened Putin.

Strategic Objectives: Putin’s goals extend beyond Ukraine,encompassing a desire to restore Russia’s sphere of influence and challenge the U.S.-led global order.

Domestic Considerations: Maintaining domestic support relies on projecting an image of strength and national revival.

The Ukraine Conflict: A Turning Point in U.S.-Russia Relations

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 fundamentally altered the dynamics of U.S.-Russia relations. The brutality of the conflict, documented war crimes, and blatant disregard for international law shocked the world. While initial sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies were significant, many argue they haven’t been sufficient to deter putin.The ongoing conflict highlights the limitations of purely economic pressure and the need for a more complete strategy.

Key aspects of the Ukraine conflict impacting U.S. policy:

1. Humanitarian Crisis: The immense suffering inflicted upon the Ukrainian population demands a strong response.
2. Geopolitical Implications: A successful Russian campaign in Ukraine would destabilize Eastern Europe and embolden authoritarian regimes globally.
3. NATO’s Credibility: The conflict has tested the resolve of NATO and its commitment to collective defense.

Strengthening Deterrence: Military and economic Tools

A robust demonstration of U.S. resolve requires a multi-faceted approach, combining military strength with targeted economic measures. Simply providing aid to Ukraine, while vital, isn’t enough. The U.S. must actively work to raise the costs for Putin and demonstrate a willingness to defend its interests and those of its allies.

Military Reinforcement & NATO Expansion

Increased Military Aid: Expanding the scope and quantity of military assistance to Ukraine, including advanced weaponry and intelligence sharing.

Forward Deployment: Strengthening the U.S. military presence in Eastern Europe, notably in NATO member states bordering Russia and Ukraine. This includes rotational deployments of troops, aircraft, and naval assets.

NATO Expansion: Supporting the aspirations of countries like Sweden and finland to join NATO, further bolstering the alliance’s defensive capabilities. This directly counters Russia’s narrative of NATO encroachment.

Economic Pressure: Beyond Sanctions

While sanctions have had an impact on the Russian economy, they haven’t been crippling. A more effective strategy involves:

Secondary Sanctions: Targeting entities and individuals outside of Russia who are facilitating trade and financial transactions with sanctioned Russian entities.

Energy Independence: Accelerating efforts to reduce European dependence on Russian energy, providing alternative sources and investing in renewable energy infrastructure.

Asset Seizure: Exploring legal mechanisms to seize and repurpose Russian assets frozen abroad to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Addressing Russian Disinformation & Cyber Warfare

Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics, including disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks, are integral to its strategy of undermining Western democracies. Countering these threats is essential.

Fact-Checking Initiatives: Investing in self-reliant fact-checking organizations and media literacy programs to combat the spread of false narratives.

Cybersecurity Enhancements: Strengthening critical infrastructure cybersecurity defenses and developing offensive cyber capabilities to deter Russian attacks.

Public Diplomacy: Actively countering Russian propaganda through strategic communication and public diplomacy efforts. Highlighting the realities of the conflict in Ukraine and exposing Russian atrocities.

The Role of International Partnerships & Alliances

U.S.resolve is amplified through strong international partnerships.Working closely with allies in Europe,Asia,and beyond is crucial to isolating Russia and maintaining a united front.

Transatlantic Cooperation: Strengthening the U.S.-EU relationship and coordinating policies on Russia.

Indo-Pacific Strategy: Recognizing the interconnectedness of global security and coordinating with allies in the Indo-Pacific region to address Russian influence.

* UN Security Council Reform: advocating for reforms to the UN Security Council to address Russia’s veto power and enhance the association’s effectiveness.

Case Study: The reagan Doctrine & Soviet Confrontation

The Reagan governance’s assertive stance towards the Soviet Union in the 1980s, known as the Reagan Doctrine, provides a ancient precedent for confronting authoritarian aggression. By providing support to anti-communist movements around the world and increasing military spending, Reagan effectively challenged Soviet expansionism and contributed to the