Steve Berman wrote today about President Biden and Ukraine. That’s been a hot issue lately so I thought I’d my two cents. 

The debate online has centered around who was more at fault for the Russian invasion, Trump or Biden. For instance, Erick Erickson has been uncharacteristically trumpy in his claims that Vladimir Putin purposely waited to target Ukraine after Donald Trump left office and only attacks other countries when Democrats are in the White House.

Sadly, Erickson’s claim is historically inaccurate. In fact, about half of recent Russian combat operations have been while Republicans were in office. That would include stepping up intervention in Syria directly opposite US troops while Trump was in office, taking Ukrainian ships and sailors prisoner while Trump was in office, cyberattacks on both Ukraine and the US under Trump, and the invasion of Georgia under George W. Bush. In fact, we’d have to go back to George Herbert Walker Bush to find a president that did not encounter Russian aggression. 

But Steve Berman does not make this flawed argument. Instead, Steve argues that Russia benefitted from Biden having the “same smarmy trust in the international order that John Kerry and the Davos crowd believe holds the world together. He is overconfident in the effectiveness of sanctions and world rebuke on the actions of despots. He is trusting of the ability of “the people” to rise up and dethrone authoritarian leaders….”

This is a better argument than saying Putin waited for a Democrat. I’m sympathetic to the idea that Putin was emboldened by America’s weakness in foreign policy and Biden was certainly a part of that. I’d even go so far as to say that the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan probably stoked Putin’s fire as well even though I think taking Ukraine was on his list of things to do for at least a decade. 

What I do take issue with is the notion that Putin waited until Trump was out of office because he was afraid of Trump’s unpredictable reaction. While Trump was often unpredictable, his relations with Putin were totally predictable. Trump always sided with Putin. If anything, Trump’s four-day-late acknowledgment that the invasion was “an outrage” and an “assault on humanity” was what was unpredictable. So far as I can recall, it was the first time Trump ever said anything critical of Putin. 

Let’s walk back through the Trump years. The two men were subject of “bromance” rumors for most of Trump’s presidency. In 2018, when the two met in Helsinki, Trump openly sided with Putin over US intelligence and the FBI. Trump said nothing when the Russians crowed about taking over US bases in Syria, when Russia was alleged to have placed bounties on US soldiers in Afghanistan, or when Russian mercenaries joined Syrian government forces and pro-Iranian militia in attacking a Syrian Democratic Forces base where American Special Forces were stationed. 

When it comes to Ukraine, we cannot forget that Trump’s first impeachment was for illegally holding back $400 million in military aid that Congress had appropriated to Ukraine. Trump wanted President Zelensky to announce that Ukraine was investigating the Bidens in exchange for releasing the aid. This happened at a time when Russia was backing separatist rebels that were actively fighting against the Ukraine government. 

Further, Trump and Republicans take credit for providing Ukraine with Javelin missiles, but left unsaid is that Trump opposed providing the weapons and when he relented he still place restrictions on the sale that kept the missiles from being usedagainst the Putin-backed rebels. 

It would be a stretch to claim that Putin held off on his invasion plans because he was afraid of Donald Trump and not Joe Biden, but there probably was a reason for the delay. That reason is probably the hope that Trump would fracture NATO or withdraw the US from the alliance. Trump talked about potentially leaving NATO during the 2016 campaign and the rumors heated up again ahead of the 2020 elections. Former Trump aides said that Trump planned to withdraw from both NATO and South Korea if he had won a second term. 

So yes, there is a real chance that the war wouldn’t be underway – yet – if Trump was still in office. Putin would likely be waiting for American soldiers and airmen to be withdrawn back across the Atlantic before he made his move. 

Steven made this point in a different piece last week, saying, “Trump was doing more damage to NATO by himself than Putin could ever do from the outside. As Napoleon probably never said, when your enemy is making a mistake, don’t interrupt him.”

Both parties have been weak on foreign policy in recent years but in different ways. However, President Biden has stepped up to the task and helped to rally the world against the Russians. 

The Biden Administration raised the alarm over the past few months in an attempt to deter the invasion. That attempt failed, but many people were skeptical that the alarms were in good faith. The warnings have proved to be accurate with the scale of the Russian invasion much larger than even the worst-case scenarios predicted. 

Since the war started, the Biden Adminstration rushed $350 million in aid to Ukraine that includes both anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. This is on top of other aid sent to Kyiv in the months leading up to the invasion. The Administration is also asking Congress to appropriate another $6.4 billion in military and economic aid. NATO countries are also sending weapons, food, and other items as well as taking in refugees. The EU is even sending more fighter jets, probably MiG-29s of the sort that Ukraine already operates, to the country’s embattled air force. 

Economic sanctions were quickly implemented and are already starting to bite. Critics said that Biden and the EU would never agree to expel Russia from SWIFT, but they did it over the weekend. After being excluded from the financial network, the ruble crashed to less than a penny this morning and the central bank doubled interest rates to more than 20 percent. The Russian economy is cratering quickly. 

Additionally, the sanctions are targeting Putin’s ultra-rich backers and new measures are being added on an almost daily basis. Even the Swiss, normally rabid in their neutrality, are joining in the sanctions. 

Whatever came before, the Biden Administration is acquitting itself well in the midst of the war by most accounts. “Most accounts” does not include the Republicans, about half of whom are arguing that Biden is not reacting quickly enough or doing enough against Russia. The other half argue that Biden is going too far to help Ukraine. 

It seems as though the anti-Russia effort is only gaining steam. That gives me hope that Ukraine will ultimately prevail and evict the Russian invaders from its territory. If and when that day comes, the Biden Administration will deserve its share of the credit.

The First TV contributor network is a place for vibrant thought and ideas. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of The First or The First TV. We want to foster dialogue, create conversation, and debate ideas. See something you like or don’t like? Reach out to the author or to us at [email protected]. 

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The White House dropped its years-long mask mandate policy Monday just 24 hours before Joe Biden is set to deliver his State of the Union address before Congress.

“The White House’s decision follows a similar one from Congress’ Office of the Attending Physician, who said that masks will be optional on the House floor for the president’s speech, likely avoiding the optics of masked lawmakers gathered for the event, two years into the coronavirus pandemic,” reports Fox News.

“The nation’s capital is now in an area considered low risk under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new metrics, which place less of a focus on positive test results and more on what’s happening in community hospitals. The new system greatly changes the look of the CDC’s risk map and puts more than 70% of the U.S. population in counties where the coronavirus is posing a low or medium threat to hospitals. Healthy people in those risk areas can stop wearing masks indoors, the agency said,” adds Fox.

New York City officials will also drop the mandate and its vaccine passport program starting March 7.

Read the full report here.

According to a recent Rasmussen Poll, Democrats are seemingly more concerned with defending Ukraine than defending our own southern border. “Almost two-thirds of Democrats believe that defending distant Ukraine from the Russian invasion is more important than defending America’s border, communities, and workplaces from illegal migrants,” Breitbart reports.

“Fifty-seven percent of Democrats say ‘Defending Ukraine against Russian invasion’ is ‘more important to America’s national interest’ than the alternative of “defending the U.S. border against illegal immigration.”  The February 23-24 survey included 1,000 likely voters.”

Looking at the GOP, we get quite a different picture.

“But GOP supporters favored defending the American border over Ukraine by four to one, or 74 percent to 18 percent. Ideological conservatives reported a similar 75 percent to 17 percent split.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could use a friend —or 28.

The Hill is reporting that Zelensky has officially signed and submitted an application to join the European Union.

Andriy Sybiha, deputy head of the president’s office in Ukraine, said in a tweet that head of parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal had also signed a joint statement.

“The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has just signed a historical document-Ukraine’s application for European Union membership. In addition a joint statement was signed with Ruslan Stephanchuk,the Head of the Parliament,and Denys Shmygal, Prime Minister.Glory to Ukraine!” Sybiha wrote on Twitter.

“Zelensky had asked earlier Monday that Ukraine be added to the bloc as his country fights off an invasion by Russia,” the Hill reported.

“Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing,” Zelensky said during a video address, according to The New York Times. “I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible.”

This story is developing…

President Biden returned to the White House Monday after spending the weekend in Delaware, shuffling back to the Executive Mansion while reporters hurled questions at the Commander-in-Chief about a potential war with Russia.

“Mr. President, is Ukraine winning the war?” yelled one journalist.

“Mr. President, do you believe Putin would use a nuclear weapon?” asked another.

“Mr. President, are you worried about nuclear war??” screamed a reporter.

Watch Biden’s reaction above.

A disturbing picture released from Moscow shows Russian President Vladimir Putin “meeting with his top advisors” at the Kremlin while demanding they keep a massive distance from the authoritarian leader.

“Putin meets with his top advisors today,” posted ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on Twitter.

The Russian Currency Ruble plunged 30% compared to the US Dollar Monday morning as international sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime disconnect the country from the global financial community.

“The Russian currency plunged about 30% against the U.S. dollar after Western nations announced moves to block some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payment system and to restrict Russia’s use of its massive foreign currency reserves. The exchange rate later recovered ground after swift action by Russia’s central bank,” reports the Associated Press.

“This is the West causing a currency crisis for Russia,” said Tyler Kustra, an assistant professor of politics and international relations at the University of Nottingham.

Canadian Prime Minister Justine Trudeau was dragged on social media Monday after declaring “Canada stands with Ukraine” just days after declaring a ‘State of Emergency’ and violently removing honking truckers from his capital.

“Canadians stand with the people of Ukraine,” posted Trudeau on Twitter.

“You fled your city because truckers honked. Zelensky stayed in his city to face a Russian army. You are a pathetic stooge and deserve every ounce of ridicule humanity can muster,” fired-back Dana Loesch.

“Apparently, in Canada, being a leader consists of shining some lights,” added one user.

The Democratic Socialists of America released a statement this week publicly blaming the United States and NATO for “setting the stage” for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The political party maintains close ties with several prominent US politicians including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders.

Read the DSA’s full statement below:

The Democratic Socialists of America condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demands immediate diplomacy and de-escalation to resolve this crisis. We stand in solidarity with the working classes of Ukraine and Russia who will undoubtedly bear the brunt of this war, and with antiwar protestors in both countries and around the world who are calling for a diplomatic resolution.

This extreme and asymmetrical escalation is an illegal act under the United Nations Charter and severely threatens the livelihoods and well-being of working-class peoples in Ukraine, Russia, and across the region. We urge an immediate ceasefire and the total withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. 

There is no solution through war or further intervention. This crisis requires an immediate international antiwar response demanding de-escalation, international cooperation, and opposition to unilateral coercive measures, militarization, and other forms of economic and military brinkmanship that will only exacerbate the human toll of this conflict.

DSA reaffirms our call for the US to withdraw from NATO and to end the imperialist expansionism that set the stage for this conflict. We call on antiwar activists in the US and across the world to oppose violent escalations, demand a lasting diplomatic solution, and stress the crucial need to accept any and all refugees resulting from this crisis. Much of the next ten years are coming into view through this attack. While the failures of neoliberal order are clear to everyone, the ruling class is trying to build a new world, through a dystopic transition grounded in militarism, imperialism, and war. Socialists have a duty to build an alternative. 

No war but class war.

Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is taking, perhaps, the most aggressive stance against the southern border invasion to date: blow up the drug tunnels, take out the smuggling terrorists.

“It sounds kind of fun, doesn’t it? It’s part of my border plan. I have the strongest, most bold and aggressive border plan of an elected official or official running for office —it’s called “Defend Arizona.” And we will start to defend our own border.

“The U.S. Constitution in the guaranteed clause Article 4, Section 4 requires that the federal government protect us from invasion and [Biden] isn’t doing that —he’s completely dropped the ball. But the U.S. Constitution has a remedy for us: Article 1, Section 10 —we can protect ourselves from invasion. My border plan will do that.”

“We will allow our Arizona Guard to start arresting people crossing the border and sending them back. And part of my plan allows us to blow up these drug smuggling tunnels…and I don’t care if the smugglers are in the tunnels when we take them down —these people are terrorists.”

Watch candidate Lake below:

The Russian Currency Ruble plunged 30% compared to the US Dollar Monday morning as international sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime disconnect the country from the global financial community.

“The Russian currency plunged about 30% against the U.S. dollar after Western nations announced moves to block some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payment system and to restrict Russia’s use of its massive foreign currency reserves. The exchange rate later recovered ground after swift action by Russia’s central bank,” reports the Associated Press.

“This is the West causing a currency crisis for Russia,” said Tyler Kustra, an assistant professor of politics and international relations at the University of Nottingham.

“Moscow’s department of public transport warned city residents over the weekend that they might experience problems with using Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay to pay fares because VTB, one of the Russian banks facing sanctions, handles card payments in Moscow’s metro, buses and trams,” adds the AP.

Read the full report here.