Part 8/14:
U.S. policymakers are walking a tightrope—balancing the desire to support Ukraine with the risk of provoking a broader conflict. Roio warned that perceiving Russia as a "paper tiger" could lead to miscalculations, risking nuclear escalation. The Biden administration's decision to authorize long-range strikes reflects a dangerous assumption that escalation might pressure Russia into negotiations, but Roio cautioned that such moves could instead harden Moscow’s resolve.
He argued that the U.S. and its allies should better understand Putin’s motivations, which are driven by nationalism and a desire to restore Russia’s influence. The assumption that Russia will back down or retreat may be misguided, especially since Russian objectives include maintaining control over territories such as Crimea.