OPINION:
Ukraine will not defeat Russia, nor will it lose. And that is exactly what the Biden administration is hoping for by withholding more advanced weapons from it.
President Biden does not fear that introducing F-16s or ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine will lead to a nuclear strike against the country by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin — but he does fear the fall of Mr. Putin with a Ukrainian victory.
If Mr. Putin falls, Russia will devolve into chaos, creating untold and unknown consequences. An unsettled Russia would challenge existing security arrangements in Europe and possibly spook the Chinese into “fishing or cutting bait” with Russia.
With Russia in chaos, the Chinese would fear the U.S. concentrating its political, economic, diplomatic and military efforts against its real competitor: China.
In Mr. Biden’s view, the status quo in Ukraine prevents chaos and change in Moscow as well as discomfort and uncertainty in Beijing. Same old, same old.
What better legacy could Mr. Biden ask for?
DENNIS McGEE
Arnold, Maryland
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