Putin's Favorite Duo: Biden and Germany

What's left for Ukraine?

By Darryl Weng

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Just recently, France’s Macron told our president that the U.S needn’t worry about Russia-Ukraine conflicts. Macron proudly asserts that the EU and his frenchmen will ward off Russian aggression. However, France’s brother, Germany, doesn’t seem to be on the same page. The Wall Street Journal, on January 21st, reported that Estonia, a NATO ally, attempted to provide artillery equipment for Ukraine, only to be rebuffed by Germany.

Apparently, the artillery equipment originated in Germany, meaning that Germany had full jurisdiction in where such weaponry may be transferred. This is not a shocking act by Germany, in fact. Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine stand-off, Germany has been against sending military equipment to Ukraine. But, more importantly, Germany has had some economic relationships with Russia, especially the agreement between Russia and Germany to build a natural gas pipeline, known as Nord Stream 2, through Germany. Although the pipeline construction is not complete, the U.S, over the years, has been unsuccessfully asking Germany to halt the construction.

With economic pressure from Russia unfolding as Putin increased military presence surrounding Ukraine, Germany faces a question of which country, the U.S or Russia, to please. Vocally, Germany stands with the rest of the EU, in opposition to Russia’s intentions with military build-up near Ukraine. However, Germany, unlike the U.S and many other nations like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, rejects the idea of sending its own weapons into Ukraine.

Germany may be the only nation in the entire EU to refuse to aid Ukraine, but the amount of economic pressure Russia is capable of is evident. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline not only affects Germany, but it also has economic presence in many other EU nations. With Germany already bowing down to Russia’s intentions for Ukraine, Putin may be encouraged to pressure other EU nations economically, furthering the isolation of Ukraine with its allies.

Putin, throughout his reign as Russia’s President, has made quite a few decisions that took advantage of many countries’ weak leaderships. He exploited the weakness of the U.S and EU during the Obama era. The EU did simply nothing, acting as bystanders as if the nearly two months of the Crimea Crisis did not exist. Whilst Obama denounced actions by Russia, it was useless and too late. Even as Obama went on to sanction Ukraine and Russian officials responsible for the crisis, the entire bloodbath had ceased, and Russia had already seized a chunk of land.

During the Crimea incident in 2014, the most important concern to take note was the lack of action from the EU. It is key to understand that the EU itself is relatively weak compared to the might of Russia and China, but what holds the safety of the EU together is the United States. In other words, actions of NATO allies and the EU during 2014 are heavily under the influence of the U.S. If the U.S does not commit to preventing Russia from invading Crimea militarily, then the EU certainly won’t move a finger.

The same instance is seen today. Due to Biden’s unwillingness to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine, the EU nations and NATO allies will not simply step up and beg their big brother Russia to avert all conflicts. Biden’s continuous actions only entice Putin further to invade Ukraine. In a CNN article, Kevin Liptak, reports how, last Wednesday, Biden had already made clear to the press that Russia will move troops into Ukraine. Why has Biden accepted such a fate? Certainly, Putin will take Biden’s response from the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a signal of minimal U.S commitment to aiding Ukraine against Russian military plans. Even more so, Biden says he is discussing among NATO members on how to deal with a “minor incursion” in Ukraine. With the immediate revival of the Taliban in Afghanistan and weak response to aggressions made by countries like Iran and China, there is little to expect from Biden’s supposed plans with NATO members. Germany has already made full commitments not to send military aid to Ukraine. Countries like the U.S, Great Britain, and more have retrieved their embassy members from Ukraine, most likely fearing a Russian invasion. The U.S has already shown zero intention to prevent war. The Nord Stream pipeline is being built without sanctions. What is next? With the U.S administration this weak in its dealings with foreign threats, how is NATO and its allies going to commit to save Ukraine from Russia?

Along with weak U.S leadership and commitment to saving Ukraine, a divided EU under the economic pressure of Russia will not suffice for the safety of Ukraine. Only Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania seem to truly understand the threat and what is at stake for the rest of Eastern Europe. These former Soviet states not only care for the safety of Ukraine but also for their own safety. If Ukraine falls to the Russians, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania might as well share the same fate as Ukraine.

Like dominoes, once Eastern Europe falls, Western Europe will follow suit, and the U.S will suddenly be alone fighting Russia and China like a fool. While such a case is unlikely to occur, the scope of the issues that are produced by Biden’s foolish foreign policies and actions only persuade us further of a new doomsday. What Biden, Germany, and other NATO allies are doing now is exactly what Putin hoped for, if not more. Don’t listen to Russia. Listen to nations like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania that have experienced the Soviet horrors firsthand. Providing as much aid for Ukraine is a necessity and key for the safety of democracy that has been solidified for centuries in the Western Hemisphere. We cannot let this be 2014 all over again. A war between Ukraine and Russia should have never been a topic so alarming.