Public Comment

In the war of words between Biden and Putin, words matter. It is important for Biden to stress that America and NATO are not at war with Russia and the Russian people. Biden should encourage Russians to flee their own country to avoid conscription. Perhaps, he could even offer monetary rewards. 

Mr. Putin’s nuclear extortion may not stop in Ukraine. He may now use the same threat to pave the way for a Russian invasion of the Baltic states or other NATO members, or a despot in another nuclear-armed state may follow his example. Biden should refrain from incendiary words like “Armageddon” which plays into Putin’s playbook, amplifying nuclear threats. Putin has already demonstrated his callous disregard for human life targeting non-military targets to strike terror following the destruction of the vital bridge linking Crimea with Russia. 

Mr. Putin’s nuclear extortion may extend beyond Ukraine. He may now use the same threat to wage wars in the Baltic states or NATO or another nuclear-armed despot may follow Putin’s example. It’s extremely unlikely that the nuclear genie can ever be eradicated. We now have to live with the twin threats of climate change and nuclear annihilation! 

Putin is right. We paved the way with our atomic bombs strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki which killed 215,00 and wounded many more. 

Meanwhile, Ukraine desperately needs a shield to neutralize the barrage of Russian missiles.