Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump cancels Putin meeting, says "didn't feel right"
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Caracas: The United States attacks another alleged drug-trafficking ship off the coast of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean
Palestinian official urges world to force 'Israel' to comply with ICJ ruling: AFP
Israeli media says Knesset approved bill to annex in West Bank in preliminary reading
Kremlin: As part of strategic nuclear force exercise, Cruiser Bryansk launched Sineva ballistic missile from Barents Sea.
Kremlin: Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome at Kura test site in Kamchatka.
Kremlin: Strategic nuclear forces exercise took place under Putin's leadership.
Lebanese MP Imad Al-Hout, following his meeting with the Grand Mufti of the Republic: Lebanon is the last country to move toward peace and normalization [with "Israel"]
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyr reported in Israeli drone strike targeting motorcycle in Ain Qana.
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Envelope.

Western allies say Biden's choices cost Ukraine's victory: Bloomberg

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Bloomberg
  • 20 Dec 2024 17:05
3 Min Read

Some officials argue that regardless of whether Biden or Donald Trump is in office, the outcome for Ukraine is unlikely to change significantly.

Listen
  • x
  • Western allies say Biden's choices cost Ukraine's victory: Bloomberg
    US President Joe Biden speaks during a Hanukkah holiday reception in the East Room of the White House on December 16, 2024, in Washington, DC (AFP)

With just a month remaining in office, President Joe Biden's administration is concentrating its remaining resources on providing military aid to Ukraine and imposing further sanctions against Russia, Bloomberg reported on Friday.

However, officials in Ukraine and allied capitals deemed these efforts insufficient and belated. They believe that regardless of Biden's actions in his final weeks, Ukraine is likely headed toward a difficult resolution that could see Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky leaving swathes of territory in a state of uncertainty in exchange for security guarantees that fall short of NATO membership—a goal he has long pursued.

These outcomes, the officials argue, stem largely from decisions Biden made, or failed to make, over the past two years. Despite the US providing over $90 billion in aid and arms to Ukraine, some allies are frustrated with Biden’s hesitation to supply more advanced weaponry at critical moments during the war with Russia, the report indicated.

It recalled that in late 2022, Ukrainian forces had Russian President Vladimir Putin on the defensive, and Zelensky urged Biden for more arms to capitalize on this advantage. Biden, however, hesitated, reportedly concerned about the potential for escalation and the risk of Russia deploying its nuclear arsenal, according to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. 

"His [Biden's] approach was often too cautious and too hesitant, holding back on delivering the decisive support needed to tip the balance," former UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps indicated in an interview.

Related News

Colombian President Petro vows legal action over US drug allegations

Trump cancels Putin meeting, denies US role in Ukraine strikes

Other US officials, speaking anonymously, have expressed frustration with some European governments for their slow response to the launch of the Russian operation in Ukraine and their reluctance to send arms or enforce tougher sanctions.

Some officials argue that regardless of whether Biden or Donald Trump is in office, the outcome for Ukraine is unlikely to change significantly. Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire, with his advisors indicating any deal would likely involve Ukraine freezing territorial lines and shelving its NATO aspirations.  

The underlying frustration among officials on both sides of the Atlantic is the continued reliance on US leadership within NATO. Decisions made in the White House will ultimately shape the outcome of the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg pointed out.

One official mentioned that as a Cold War veteran, Biden was particularly cautious about the risks of nuclear escalation, adding that concerns about provoking Russia often led to US reluctance to act decisively, and allies like Germany shared similar apprehensions.  

According to two senior European officials, the main issue was that Biden’s strategy focused on preventing Ukraine’s defeat rather than charting a clear path to victory. This approach locked Ukraine into a prolonged, bloody conflict, costing tens of thousands of lives, the officials pointed out.

Read more: European confusion clouds the Ukraine post-war security plan

  • United States
  • Russia
  • US
  • Ukraine
  • Ukraine war
  • Joe Biden
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Pro-Palestinian activists protest at Lafayette Park across from the White House to mark the approaching one year anniversary of the Israeli war on Gaza, Saturday, October 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Arts and Culture

Jewish figures calls for sanctions on 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Activists from the Foreign Press Association during a panel calling for press freedom in Gaza, April 11, 2025 in London, England. (X/ @FPALondon)
Politics

FPA demands Israeli court to allow int'l journalists access to Gaza

Matsapha Correctional Complex is seen in Matsapha, near Mbabane, Eswatini, Thursday July 17, 2025. (AP Photo)
Politics

Cuban man deported from US to Eswatini launches hunger strike

Russia President Vladimir Putin conducts a strategic nuclear forces exercise via videoconference from the Presidential Situation Centre at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Politics

Putin oversees ICBM, cruise missile tests in strategic nuclear drill

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS