Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his deep disappointment with the Biden administration’s reluctance to preemptively sanction Russia before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In a candid three-hour interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Zelensky described the threat of sanctions only *after* an invasion as “complete bullshit.” This interview, promoted by the Ukrainian government’s United24 platform as “bold,” extensively covered the ongoing war and Ukraine’s complex relationship with the United States under both Biden and Trump.
Ukraine’s conflict with Russia and its proxies stretches back over a decade, beginning with Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea under President Obama. This annexation was followed by a protracted war in the Donbas region, escalating from a conflict between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists to a full-scale war with the Russian military in 2022. Zelensky, a former comedian with no prior political experience, won the 2019 presidential election amidst public disillusionment with the established political order. Despite being initially labeled “pro-Russian” in the West, Zelensky cultivated a friendly relationship with President Trump which persists today, while facing challenges in building a functional relationship with President Biden.
The February 2022 invasion was preceded by several contentious events, notably Biden’s decision to lift sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project the previous summer. This move, which would have significantly increased Russia’s control over natural gas supplies to Western Europe, infuriated Zelensky. The Nord Stream 2 pipelines were later destroyed in mysterious underwater explosions in September 2022.
Zelensky recounted his frustration with the West’s inaction, stating he had only requested weapons and, more importantly, preemptive sanctions to deter the invasion. He vehemently criticized the conditional approach of imposing sanctions only after a Russian attack, characterizing it as ineffective. He wryly noted that while the West offered plenty of words, meaningful assistance was lacking.
The six months leading up to the invasion were marked by escalating tensions between Zelensky and Biden. In an earlier interview with Axios, Zelensky revealed that he learned about Biden lifting Trump’s Nord Stream sanctions from television news. He directly condemned this decision as a direct national security threat to Ukraine, accusing Biden of prioritizing appeasement of Germany, a major beneficiary of the pipeline, at Ukraine’s expense.
Zelensky’s criticisms of the lack of preemptive sanctions echoed in his statements following meetings with European leaders in December 2021. He argued then, as he did in the Fridman interview, that sanctions imposed *after* an escalation would be meaningless and advocated for a strong sanctions policy to prevent the invasion.
Despite past frustrations, Zelensky expressed optimism about a potential shift in US policy under a future administration known for its willingness to use sanctions against international actors. He highlighted President Trump’s “peace through strength” message, emphasizing the importance of strength in diplomacy and deterring aggression. He underscored that Putin understands only fear and strength, casting doubt on any genuine desire for peace from the Russian President.
Zelensky also reflected on his unsuccessful attempt at direct dialogue with Putin in December 2019. He described Putin as disengaged from substantive issues, engaging only when the topic of European gas supplies arose, highlighting the stark contrast between Putin’s priorities and Zelensky’s hopes for a swift resolution of the conflict. While his counterparts deemed the meeting a success, Zelensky felt it yielded insufficient progress. This experience, alongside the failures of the “Normandy Four” talks, further underscores the challenges in negotiating with Putin and the critical need for a strong, proactive approach to deterring Russian aggression.