Ukraine war: US vowed to isolate Russia but Putin’s jet-setting shows it is hard to do

Washington’s efforts to shun Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine appear to have been lacking bite as Putin and his top diplomat Lavrov meet leaders, including US allies

The US, which is in contact with Russia over the release of American detainees, has conceded it needs to engage with the Kremlin as well

Reading Time:4 minutes

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left), Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) during their talks in Tehran on July 19. Photo: Sputnik via AP

Published: 9:31pm, 29 Jul 2022

The Biden administration likes to say Russia has become isolated internationally because of its invasion of Ukraine. Yet Moscow’s top officials have hardly been cloistered in the Kremlin. And now, even the US wants to talk.

President Vladimir Putin has been meeting with world leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country is a Nato member. Meanwhile, his top diplomat, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, is jetting around the world, smiling, shaking hands and posing for photos with foreign leaders – including some friends of the US.

And on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he wants to end months of top-level US diplomatic estrangement with Lavrov to discuss the release of American detainees as well as issues related to Ukraine. The call has not been scheduled but is expected in coming days.

The handshakes and phone calls cast doubt on a core part of the US strategy aimed at ending the Ukraine war: that diplomatic and economic isolation, along with battlefield setbacks, would ultimately force Russia to send its troops home.

Even as he announced plans for the call, Blinken continued to insist Russia is indeed isolated. He argued the travel of its top officials is purely damage control and a reaction to international criticism Moscow is facing for the Ukraine war.

US officials say Russia is trying to shore up the few alliances it has left – some of which are American adversaries like Iran. But countries that are ostensibly US partners, like Egypt and Uganda, are also warmly welcoming top Russians.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x