Russia and Ukraine flashpoint

[Machiavellian]

Mandalore76 said:

Machiavellian said:

Lets put this more in perspective.  While it may seem easy to make this decision its really not all that simple.  As people forget, the Biden Administration was actively making deals with multiple nations to make sure that putting sanctions on Russian oil would not leave the US and also EU in a serious situation where we are at 10 dollars a gallon or without oil for EU since they are so dependent.  While it may seem that the administration was sitting on their hands its actually not correct.  Its like leaving a job without actually having another one lined up.  The administration needed to make deals and shift resources and thus allow them to make this move without to much cost in the short term.  Long term of course would be more investment in renewal energy.

Doesn't look like that has been going well.

Leaders in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) declined calls with President Biden as the war in Ukraine intensified, Middle East and U.S. officialstold The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

"There was some expectation of a phone call, but it didn't happen," a U.S. official told the Journal regarding a call between Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "It was part of turning on the spigot [of Saudi oil]."

UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed also declined a call from Biden, according to the officials.

Officials told the outlet that U.S. relations with the two Gulf countries have been strained over the Biden administration's lack of support in the war in Yemen and the revived negotiations concerning the Iran nuclear deal.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE both said they will not produce more oil than agreed on by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Journal noted.

Saudi, UAE leaders declined calls with Biden amid Ukraine conflict: report

You are only just listing Saudi Arabia, we already knew they stated they could or would not increase production but they are not the only producers in the world.  The thing you have to realize is that a decision like this is not some knee jerk reaction.  There is a lot going on behind the scenes because everything has a cost.  Also, we do not know if this was put on the table and sent to Putin to let him know if Russia does not end this war more sanctions are coming.  If you just throw everything at once you put a person in a corner where they just say "F*** it".  Each response has to be measured, negotiate, measured.  Also getting the world to come together instead of going it all John Wayne is a totally better solution with much bigger cost to Russia.

Do not believe that any of this will actually stop Putin, but the cost needs to be so high that it would be a century before Russia decides to go this route again.  The US only account for 3% of Russia oil so its not as big of a deal for the US to make this move but other countries its going to be a tough sell.  Hell even in the US they are crying about 5 bucks at the pump.  US is so dependant on cheap fuel, food, products but when they actually have to live like other nations do, well their giving and support wane pretty quickly.  I am sure we will see many memes and GOP blame Biden for everything but then again that is par for the course in politics.