‘The days of the US rolling over…are over’, says President Biden referring to Russia

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden while demanding the immediate release of Alexei Navalny in Russia said that the US will not be “rolling over in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions”. 

While diverting away from the US’s policy towards Russia under former US President Donald Trump, Biden cautioned about “advancing authoritarianism” in Russia and China. 

Through his address at the US State Department, Biden put Russia back into the diplomatic crosshairs of the US after four years of refusal to criticise the Russian leadership by Trump. 

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While stressing on the alleged election interference and Cyber attack by Moscow, Biden said, “We will not hesitate to raise the cost on Russia and defend our vital interest and our people. The days of the United States rolling over… are over.” 

Biden also took the opportunity to criticise the Russian authorities on the arrest of Navalny and the treatment given to the protesters. 

He said, “The Russian efforts to suppress freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are a matter of deep concern to us and the international community. Mr Navalny, like all Russian citizens, is entitled to his rights under the Russian constitution. He’s been targeted for exposing corruption. He should be released immediately and without condition.”

The US President, however, noted that he will be willing to collaborate with Russia on matters like nuclear nonproliferation and arms control, a day after the US extended the five-year term of the treaty which was due to expire.

 National security officials of the US argue that the world’s two most heavily armed nations shall take steps to limit the nuclear arsenal and weapons of mass destruction. 

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“We will be more effective in dealing with Russia,” Biden said, reaffirming his call for the United States to review its conventional alliances with democratic countries.

Jake Sullivan, the US President’s National Security Advisor said, “Unlike the previous administration, we will be taking steps to hold Russia accountable for the range of malign activities that it has undertaken”.