No free world leader should hesitate to state plainly that the world would be a far better place if Putin were no longer in power in Russia. A good way to make that come about is to say exactly that. Russia will be pariah until Putin is gone.
Putin has stayed in power for over 20 years because despite leading Russia to economic, demographic, and political ruin, he is still treated like the big boss who can do business and get things back on track. Shatter that belief.
Dictators crush even the smallest hint of opposition so they can say "if not me, who else?" After 20 years, it is effective. But we must all imagine Russia after Putin for it to happen. No normalization, no deals, nothing. He is illegitimate and a war criminal.
If it's impolitic or a slip to speak the truth, so be it. As I wrote today, Putin's war in Ukraine and against the world order will not end as long as he is in power. Either the war criminal is isolated or he isn't. No more half-measures. nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-ope…
Put "Putin cannot remain in power" on a Biden t-shirt. Whenever Putin was in trouble w sanctions, with opposition in the streets or economic problems, Western leaders would throw him a lifeline. A summit, a deal, something to show he was still the big boss. No more.
If he feels the need to explain, Biden can agree with Putin's spokesworm Peskov, who said the Russian people should decide who is in power. Yes, they should. And free and fair elections will finally come when Putin is gone.
Biden isn't Trump, requiring an English to English translator! No dictator is legitimate. Don't backpedal when you are right and in the right. Don't play diplomatic games with a mass murderer.
When the President is right, the White House should stick with him instead of fumbling to apologize to a murderous dictator for speaking the truth. It's pathetic.
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