Joe Biden Looking to “Reinforce” Western Unity and Push New Sanctions in Upcoming NATO Summits – President Joe Biden will travel to Europe today, where he is expected to take part in several discussions and summits to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Biden will attend an emergency summit of NATO leaders, attend a meeting of the European Union Council in Brussels, and hold conversations with the G-7. On Friday, Biden will also meet Polish President Andrzej Duda at an event with American troops in Warsaw.
Speaking to reporters, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the president is looking to “reinforce the incredible unity” built between the United States and allies in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
Joe Biden Has a Message: New Sanctions on the Way
Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that President Joe Biden will announce a new set of sanctions against Russia in conjunction with European counterparts during his trip to Brussels this week. The president is also expected to discuss changes to NATO and contingencies in the event of Russia deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine or in the West.
“He will have the opportunity to coordinate on the next phase of military assistance to Ukraine. He will join our partners in imposing further sanctions on Russia and tightening the existing sanctions to crack down on evasion and to ensure robust enforcement,” Sullivan said.
While the details of the next round of sanctions have not been revealed, Sullivan says that the Biden administration will do more than just implement new sanctions, but will also ensure that there is a “joint effort to crack down on evasion on sanctions.”
Sullivan also said that there could be repercussions for countries that help Russia undermine, weaken, or circumnavigate sanctions. No specific mention was made of any country that has helped Russia do this so far – but India’s refusal to take sides in the war and the decision by state-owned Indian Oil Corp to purchase 3 million barrels of discounted crude oil from Russia in the wake of Western sanctions may come into play.
Rumors have also circulated that Russia could be kicked out of the Group of 20 (G-20). Such a move would have precedent, with Russia having previously been kicked out of the G8 following its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.
One senior G7 source told Reuters that there have been discussions about whether it is appropriate for Russia to remain a member of the G20, adding that it would be a “less useful organization” if Russia is not kicked out.
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
