Biden Starts with Russia First

Trump Administration Extends New START Treaty Including China as Planned
Senior Official: "Makes Sense When Relations with Russia Are Hostile"
Measures to Respond to Russian Provocations to Be Prepared Within Weeks

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Joe Biden's U.S. administration is reported to adopt an aggressive strategy toward Russia. The strategy of prioritizing a 'blade' against Russia rather than China or North Korea is being evaluated as different from any U.S. administration since the Cold War.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The Washington Post reported on the 21st (local time) that the U.S. government will take a tough stance against Russia.

In this regard, a senior official cited the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia as an example. The official said the Biden administration is pushing for a five-year extension of New START, adding, "New START aligns with U.S. national security interests and makes even more sense when relations with Russia are hostile."

New START was signed with Russia in 2010 during former President Barack Obama's administration. It limits the number of nuclear warheads for both the U.S. and Russia to 1,550 each and expires on the 5th of next month. Former President Donald Trump pressured Russia to include China in this treaty, but China has not agreed. The WP judged that the Biden administration has no plans to include China in New START.

The Biden administration is also expected to launch an immediate offensive against Russia. WP reported that an official said, "President-elect Biden will instruct Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), to report evidence of Russia's recent reckless and aggressive actions."

These include large-scale federal government and agency hacking incidents believed to be linked to Russia, the crackdown on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and suspicions of ordering the killing of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor (NSA) at the White House, has repeatedly warned about Russia even before the administration took office. The official also explained, "We will prepare countermeasures against Russian aggression within weeks."

WP reported that unlike former President Trump, it is extremely unusual for the Biden administration to announce punitive measures against Russia from the start of its term.