Editorial Board
White House Shouldn’t Let Putin Off the Hook Now
Failing to enforce its Aug. 8 ultimatum would risk damaging US credibility and interests.
Playing the long game.
Photographer: Mikhail Metzel/AFP/Getty Images
Vladimir Putin has become a growing liability for a US president who fancies himself a peacemaker. The White House’s initial strategy to end the war in Ukraine — offering the Russian leader almost everything he wanted and pressuring the Ukrainians to concede — was meant to achieve quick results. Instead, it made the US look weak. Putin pocketed the concessions, demanded more and escalated his attacks.
The president has now given Russia until Aug. 8 to agree to a truce. If he really wants to put American interests first, he must be prepared to enforce the ultimatum.