In the remote Siberian prison in which Russian President Vladimir Putin incarcerated the charismatic dissident, Alexei Navalny died on Feb. 16, presumably at the hands of agents answering to Putin. Putin understood Navalny was a future president who won Russians’ loyalty based on principles and ideas rather than fear and repression. Putin also never forgave Navalny for exposing billions of dollars in embezzlement and corruption.  

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby promised new sanctions that President Joe Biden would unveil on Feb. 23 would “hold Russia accountable for what happened to Mr. Navalny.” Therein lies the problem with the Biden administration. The problem is not punishing Putin’s inner circle but rather doing it gradually and acting reactively rather than proactively.