First things first, it’s good they are talking. As the Biden team pointed out, this was a chance for the two sides to better understand each other. Second, Biden seems to have been very tough, highlighting the substantial sanctions which would be rolled out should Russia launch “another” offensive against Ukraine. It was also Biden’s chance to tell Putin “we know what you are doing, we have the intel”. “Don’t do it or else”. Notable I think also that later in the press conference Jake Sullivan noted that if Putin goes in (again) that the US will continue to arm Ukraine to defend itself. To increase the cost to Russia - no doubt the US warning that it would ensure Ukraine became a second Afghanistan for Moscow.
Biden/Putin summit thoughts
Biden/Putin summit thoughts
Biden/Putin summit thoughts
First things first, it’s good they are talking. As the Biden team pointed out, this was a chance for the two sides to better understand each other. Second, Biden seems to have been very tough, highlighting the substantial sanctions which would be rolled out should Russia launch “another” offensive against Ukraine. It was also Biden’s chance to tell Putin “we know what you are doing, we have the intel”. “Don’t do it or else”. Notable I think also that later in the press conference Jake Sullivan noted that if Putin goes in (again) that the US will continue to arm Ukraine to defend itself. To increase the cost to Russia - no doubt the US warning that it would ensure Ukraine became a second Afghanistan for Moscow.