The Joe Biden-led US administration continues to refuse imposing sanctions on Russia, despite threatening the country with the same, if they invade Ukraine, Reuters reported. The agency stated this decision has drawn criticism from rivals of the US, and Kyiv. 

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke at the Munich Security Conference, saying, “You tell me 100% that there will be war in a few days’ time. What are you waiting for?”, Reuters reported. The agency also quoted him saying, “We will not need your sanctions after there is a bombardment, or after our state is shot at, or if we have no more borders, we do not have an economy, or parts of our state is occupied”. 

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However, as per Reuters, US officials have posited that imposing sanctions before Russia invades Ukraine would guarantee that it definitely takes place. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken had earlier explained to CNN, “The purpose of the sanctions in the first instance is to try to deter Russia from going to war. As soon as you trigger them that deterrence is gone”. 

US Vice President, Kamala Harris, who was also present at the Munich conference, spoke to reporters, touting these sanctions as some of the greatest, though they might not be the strongest, Reuters reported her saying. She echoed President Joe Biden’s belief that there’s still space for diplomatic talks before Russia invades Ukraine, as per the agency.

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Harris said, “We have agreed that the deterrence effect of these sanctions is still a meaningful one, especially because — remember, also — we still sincerely hope that there is a diplomatic path out of this moment” Reuters reported. 

Despite the logic behind the choice, Republican Senator Ted Cruz blamed the worsening situation at Ukraine’s borders on Biden’s weakness and fecklessness, as per Reuters. 

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Tensions exist between the US and Russia over the latter’s troop buildup at Ukraine’s borders. Russia has demanded that Ukraine’s entry into NATO be blocked the organization should reduce troop presence in eastern Europe. However, they have rubbished talks of having any plans to invade Ukraine.