The urgent question: What options does the West have to put an end to Russia’s dictatorship, and who are the most influential politicians right now?

The world is watching as Russia’s dictator Vladimir Putin (69) bombs Ukraine and marches in with foot forces.

Only meaningless phrases have followed so far.

But, in the meantime, what is the world doing to combat the warmonger?

President Joe Biden (79)

As the leader of the free world and supreme commander of the most powerful armed forces, Biden has the most important role to play.

However, Biden has firmly stated that the US will not offer direct military support to Ukraine on multiple occasions. US military would not even be dispatched to evacuate American residents, according to Biden. The risk of a confrontation with Russian invading troops and escalation is far too big.

Biden has twice averted sanctions against the Putin pipeline Nord Stream 2 – out of consideration for the federal government, which stuck to the project to the end.

President Emmanuel Macron (44)

The French President has sent several offers to Moscow in recent weeks, and even wanted to work on a new “peace architecture” for Europe – although peace in Europe had been secured by NATO for decades.

But Putin himself turned down these French offers, even though Moscow could have further weakened the Western defense alliance by doing so.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (63)

Until the Russian invasion, Germany’s head of government held on to the Putin pipeline Nord Stream 2. Other countries were also barred from providing weapons to Ukraine by the German government. Even the anticipated delivery of 5,000 helmets from Bundeswehr inventories has yet to arrive.

The economically strongest country in Europe is therefore considered the weakest link in the western alliance.

Whether Berlin will actually agree to effective sanctions against Putin’s regime is by no means certain, especially since many politicians from the ruling SPD party openly sympathize with Moscow.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (57)

The British Prime Minister condemned the “cruel and barbaric actions” of the “Russian dictator”. With regard to the sanctions issue, Johnson is considered to be an advocate of a tougher approach.

However: Russian oligarchs have invested considerable sums in London, the majority of which have so far been spared the sanctions.

There has been considerable tension between Moscow and London in recent years, most severely four years ago when Russian agents in the UK tried to murder former Russian officer Sergei Skripal with a nerve agent.

After all, Johnson has already supported Ukraine with arms deliveries, including several thousand N-LAW anti-tank weapons.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (63)

Von der Leyen said after the Russian invasion that Putin would be “held accountable”. Whether these words will actually be followed by deeds remains to be seen, however, because the EU is divided.

While the Baltic states, for example, view the Russian advance with great concern, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (58) is considered a political ally of Putin. And when it comes to sanctions, it is by no means clear how effective they will actually be.

So far, both Putin himself and the really relevant Russian banks have been spared sanctions.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (63)

The Secretary-General of the Defense Alliance said NATO had activated its defense plans in response to protect member states.

On the Polish-Ukrainian border, in particular, troops from a NATO member country are stationed particularly close to the Russian invading troops.

The influx of refugees from Ukraine could pose a unique challenge: According to some estimations, over five million Ukrainians could travel to the West to escape Putin’s bombs.

A no-fly zone monitored by NATO in western Ukraine should be out of the question. The danger of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russian armed forces would be far too great.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (44)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must now save his country from total defeat.

While the military capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces have increased since the first Russian invasion in 2014, they are still significantly inferior to the invading Russian army.

Zelensky, whose calls for help to the West were becoming more and more urgent, is now in danger himself: Moscow is likely to try to depose him and install a puppet government loyal to the Kremlin.

At the same time, Selenskyj is also under pressure from his own side with increasing death tolls, territory losses and lost battles.

Could NATO actually intervene?

Latvia demands immediate NATO consultations. According to Article 4. This provides for consultations on military questions if a member believes that the “intact of their own territory, political independence or their own security” is threatened. In the 73-year history, such talks have only been held four times.

“Russian military aggression against the sovereignty, people and democracy of Ukraine is completely unacceptable,” wrote Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (57) on Twitter. And further: “We are calling for consultations under Article 4 of NATO.” There is support from Lithuania, Estonia and Poland.

It is the preliminary stage of the alliance fall! Because Article 5 states: “In the event of a (…) armed attack” on a Member State, “assistance” must be provided. This includes the use of force of arms.

Will Putin be cut off from international payments?

In addition, the three Baltic states are now demanding the toughest sanctions imaginable: Russia out of “Swift” – out of THE most important payment system in the international financial markets! Observers call this sanction the “nuclear bomb” of the measures because it completely isolates Russia economically.

The Balts also demand: Ukraine needs weapons and ammunition to defend itself against the invading enemy!

Image Credit: Getty

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