What Biden can still do for Ukraine before his term ends
Joe Biden and his team have 70 days left in the White House.
A little over two months remain for Biden to overcome deep disappointments and secure positive victories – moves that could help the Democrats eventually return to power.
At the same time, he could reinforce the fundamental principles of the democratic world order.
Read more about the expectations from Joe Biden in his final weeks in office in the article by Svitlana Kovalchuk, PhD in political science and YES executive director – Biden's final weeks: What the US president can change at the end of his term.
One of the Biden administration's key issues has been its support for Ukraine.
The newly elected President Donald Trump has stated that one of his priorities is to end wars. He has repeatedly claimed he will end the war in Ukraine very quickly.
The order and coordination of discussions are crucial in international diplomacy. Newly elected President Trump called Vladimir Putin following his phone call with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy.
Moreover, the Ukrainian side was informed of the planned conversation with Putin, indicating Ukraine’s inclusion in coordinated steps.
During his call with Putin, Trump reportedly asked him not to escalate the war in Ukraine. Nonetheless, Russia, following the call, prepared its harshest shelling of the entire war on the evening of 10 November.
This was nothing less than a show of strength, typical of an empire seeking to instill fear.
Meanwhile, the American arms supplies to Ukraine remain critical.
On 11 November, Donald Trump Jr. released a video reiterating his father’s campaign promise to cut military aid to Ukraine.
Therefore, a top priority for Biden’s administration is to send the final $6 billion military aid package to Ukraine within the remaining 70 days.
However, the timeline for actual weapons delivery often takes several months, even if Biden makes a quick decision.
The new president could halt these supplies.
However, Trump’s administration’s approach to aiding Ukraine will likely depend on Moscow’s behaviour.
Another crucial issue for Ukraine is an invitation to NATO and lifting restrictions on striking deep into Russia.
Allowing that does not require Congress or NATO approval. This decision would be a marker of Biden’s genuine commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Another significant opportunity for the Biden administration is to confiscate and transfer $5 billion from Russian Central Bank reserves – a move that must happen now.
Biden is expected to use his final 70 days in office to convey to Trump and Congress (where both chambers may soon be under Republican control) that "The United States should not abandon Ukraine, as abandoning Ukraine would lead to even greater instability in Europe."
However, Biden can take some steps without Congressional support.
Regarding the Middle East, there are few expectations of ending the war there in the next two months.
There are hopes in Israel to end to the war with Trump’s return to power.
One of Biden's possible last foreign policy moves could be to tighten sanctions on Iran.
Some allies also propose capping the price of Russian oil, potentially to $30 per barrel, to increase pressure on Moscow.