Maybe You Should Be Less Accommodating and More Strong

Joe Biden does his best Neville Chamberlin.

Biden: I’m Working To Find ‘Any Accommodations’ I Can For Russia So They Don’t Invade Ukraine | The Daily Wire

He starts out strong:

“In the meeting with Putin, I was very straightforward. There were no minced words,” Biden claimed. “It was polite, but I made it very clear: If, in fact, he invades Ukraine, there will be severe consequences — severe consequences — and economic consequences like none he’s ever seen or ever have been seen, in terms of being imposed.”

“His immediate response was he understood that. And I indicated that I knew he would respond. But beyond that, if, in fact, we would probably also be required to reinforce our — our presence in NATO countries to reassure particularly those on the eastern front,” he added. “In addition to that, I made it clear that we would provide the defensive capability to the Ukrainians as well.”

But then he fades:

Biden said that he would not put U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine to stop a Russian invasion of the country, saying, “that is not on the table.”

“We have a moral obligation and a legal obligation to our NATO Allies, if they were to attack under Article Five. It’s a sacred obligation,” Biden added. “That obligation does not extend to NATO — I mean, to Ukraine. But it would depend upon what the rest of the NATO countries are willing to do as well. But the idea the United States is going to unilaterally use force to confront Russia from invading Ukraine is not on — in the cards right now. But what will happen is: There will be severe consequences.”

Putin respects strength. A show of strength and determination will force him to back down. Threatening to take his candy away isn’t going to do anything.