January 1, US General Admits Deterrence Strategy Failed

U.S. Gen. Tod Wolters has conceded that the Biden administration’s strategy to deter Russia from invading Ukraine was a failure.

The admission came during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, prompted by a question from Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI).

“You as a combatant commander felt that you were part of an inter-agency effort intended to deter Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine?” Gallagher asked.

“That’s correct,” Wolters responded. “Deter and dissuade.”

“Would it be fair to say that deterrence failed in Ukraine?” Gallagher asked.

“Number one I would say that NATO’s solidarity remained–,” Wolters said, before Gallagher interjected, pressing for a more direct answer to his question.

“I can’t argue with your conclusion,” Wolters said.

Wolters’ testimony seems to conflict with the White House’s messaging on the matter, with President Joe Biden reiterating that sanctions were never meant to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Let’s get something straight,” Biden said after a reporter asked him about the topic last week. “You remember if you covered me from the very beginning, I did not say that, in fact, the sanctions would deter him. Sanctions never deter. You keep talking about that. Sanctions never deter.”

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US commander admits Biden’s deterrence strategy failed in Ukraine