Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was an intolerable horror from the start.
It has escalated into a genocide with both targeted and indiscriminate killings of Ukrainian civilians in what amounts to a terror campaign to subdue a people.
President Joe Biden was correct to call Russian atrocities a genocide, and even if the declaration is not yet official policy, it raises the moral urgency for all free governments to engage in meaningful and even painful steps to defeat a nihilistic and murderous dictator.
We are glad that the U.S. is again leading the world in confronting a European crisis that threatens to become a global war. U.S. security aid to Ukraine during the Biden administration is now greater than $2 billion. Total European funds to the Ukrainian military forces now total about $1.6 billion.
It’s important that our European allies deepen their commitment to providing direct military aid. But the reality is that Europe’s greatest lever against Russian aggression has yet to be pulled, and that is dramatically reducing the German purchase of Russian energy.
There is no question that this would amount to a great sacrifice for the German people. Cutting off all Russian gas supply would send the German economy into recession. There would also be an impact on the way of life for Germans who rely on Russian gas to heat their homes and power their places of work.
But the corresponding effect on the Russian economy and the Russian war machine would likely be far more impactful.
Alina Polyakova, chief executive of the Center for European Policy Analysis, told us during a recent visit to Dallas that a German decision to stop purchasing Russian energy would alter the course of history. If Germany ceased purchasing Russian energy it would alter the course of history. It would end the war. They would just run out of money. Alina Polyakova, Center for European Policy Analysis
“It would end the war,” she said. “They would just run out of money.”
The Russian war machine relies on direct payments for energy. Cut off the payments, and you cut off the money.
It’s simple in theory and excruciating in practice because of its real and immediate impact on people’s lives and nations’ economies.
Nevertheless, Germany has a moral imperative to take clear, positive steps toward sharply reducing its purchase of Russian energy, such as reversing a decision to shut off nuclear plants by year’s end. We are talking about ending a genocide, and, as Germany has recognized in its own laws and culture, the nation has an enhanced responsibility in this regard.
Ukrainians have fought bravely and have shown the world that they can defend their nation. But they cannot hold on forever.
Free nations everywhere will have to make sacrifices. We urge Europe to act now to support Ukraine, to help end the war and to benefit all of humanity.
