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US President Joe Biden’s strategy in diplomatically de-escalating the crisis with Russia over Ukraine has been met with criticism from Republicans. However, according to intelligence experts, Biden’s handling is exactly what is needed at this time.
The Daily Beast reports that the GOP is complaining about Biden’s strategy against Russia amidst looming threats of an invasion into Ukraine have been dismissed by intelligence experts and authorities in the region. Republicans have complained that Biden should reverse course by allowing military evacuations of American nationals that are in Ukraine while demanding that the US leader impose a tougher stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Several members of the GOP led by Senator Joni Ernst wrote a letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken with their complaints. They claimed that not providing any military evacuations to American nationals that are in Ukraine is a “failure of the Commander-in-Chief to keep his law-bound requirements to safeguard American citizens traveling and living abroad” and claiming that it would be a failure on the State Department’s leaders to de-escalate the crisis or carry out a military evacuation.
Senator John Barrasso then aimed his complaints on Biden, saying that the US leader should show strength rather than statements as Putin “does not respect statements. He only respects strength.”
But according to intelligence officials, Biden is doing the right thing. Former US ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor said that Biden’s decision not to order a military evacuation is “prudent.” Taylor cited that the decision likely is driven by wanting to keep US troops from accidentally getting involved in a military conflict that Ukraine has with Russia.
Former CIA official Doug London also echoed Taylor’s comments. The outlet further reported that Biden has actually been receiving praise for the efforts to de-escalate the crisis diplomatically through calling Putin out publicly in order to destabilize Russia’s attempts to plan an invasion.
Biden has also abruptly canceled his plans to leave for his home in Delaware for the holiday following a two-hour meeting with his national security team regarding the conflict in the region. The National Security Council convened over the weekend in a rare Sunday meeting, according to the press that was in the area.
