The U.S. is not working toward regime change in Russia, Blinken says

The U.S. and NATO are not imposing sanctions on Russia and offering military support to Ukraine with the goal of bringing about regime change in Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday on CBS' Face the Nation.
Blinken told host Margaret Brennan that sanctions are already having a "devastating" impact on the Russian economy and that America's NATO allies have the "green light" to provide fighter jets to Ukraine.
Brennan then asked, "How do you convince [Russian President] Vladimir Putin that this isn't ultimately about regime change? How do you get him to back down?"
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"For us, it's not about regime change. The Russian people have to decide who they want to lead them," Blinken responded. He went on to explain that he supports aiding Ukraine and sanctioning Russia in order to bring the war to a speedier end.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki made similar comments on Friday, Reuters reported. "We are not advocating for killing the leader of a foreign country or regime change. That is not the policy of the United States," Psaki told reporters.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) raised the topic of regime change on Thursday when he called for a Russian "Brutus" to assassinate Putin. His remarks quickly drew condemnation from left and right.
"[G]lib talk of 'regime change' in Russia will probably produce more problems than solutions," Joel Mathis wrote for The Week after Putin invaded Ukraine. "The hawkish impulse might be understandable in the current crisis — who doesn't want to see a bully get a bloody nose, and get it right this instant? — but that doesn't make it smart: If a bully has a gun, the satisfaction that comes from punching him might be short-lived."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Kim Jong Un’s triumph: the rise and rise of North Korea’s dictator
In the Spotlight North Korean leader has strengthened ties with Russia and China, and recently revealed his ‘respected child’ to the world
-
‘Peak consumption has become the Holy Grail of the energy debate’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
Burkina Faso's misinformation war
Under The Radar The president of the West African country has quickly become the face of a viral, AI-powered propaganda campaign
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines