(RightWing.org) – Joe Biden wasted no time tossing aside all the goodwill generated between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two sitting presidents have wrangled over a pipeline extending from Russia to Europe, the origin of cyber attacks against American infrastructure, and a host of other issues. Most recently, tensions have elevated between Washington and Moscow over Ukraine.
On December 30, 2021, Biden reportedly urged Putin to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine during a phone call. Biden stressed the US and its allies would respond in earnest if Russia invades Ukraine. Biden also suggested US and Russian officials initiate a Stability Dialogue using the NATO-Russia Council sometime in early 2022.
Biden followed up with a call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on January 2, 2022. Biden reaffirmed the United States’ and allies’ commitment to Ukrainian “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Biden talks Russian invasion with Ukraine President Zelensky, vows U.S. support – https://t.co/VtAg9niuBT #OANN
— One America News (@OANN) January 3, 2022
However, Putin continues pressing NATO to exclude Ukraine and other former Soviet nations in future expansion efforts and has demanded the withdrawal of offensive weapons from the region. Putin also threatened to take “adequate retaliatory… measures [against] unfriendly steps.”
Meanwhile, at home, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) recently stated his belief a Russian invasion of Ukraine is inevitable, and “enormous sanctions” could provide the only deterrent to Russian expansion. But, unfortunately, the Biden administration and Congress are clashing over possible actions, with Biden taking a guarded approach while Congress wants to press ahead with economic measures.
The political climate around Eastern Europe is heating up. Let’s hope Biden can handle the heat.
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