Here’s a look at what is happening where and why:
FROM MOSCOW TO WASHINGTON
Russian President Vladimir Putin was back at the Kremlin in Moscow following his diplomatic foray to get support from China over the weekend during the Winter Olympics. Putin was hosting the prime meeting of the day Monday as his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron was on a mission to de-escalate tensions.
President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met at the White House to shore up Western resolve against what they see as Russian aggression against Ukraine. Biden explicitly singled out the pipeline project known as Nord Stream 2, which would bring additional Russian gas to Europe, and could be certified by Germany to operate this summer. “There will no longer be Nord Stream 2” if Russia further invades Ukraine, Biden said. Scholz didn’t mention the pipeline but said Germany and the U.S. are “absolutely united” in their intention to impose punishing sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell earlier said the United States and Europe remained unified on not only the nature of the Russian threat to Ukraine but the consequences that Russia would face if it invaded. They also defended the increasingly dire warnings that a Russian invasion may be imminent.
Western estimates that more than 100,000 Russian troops have massed near Ukraine are increasing worries that an offensive could be only days away.
At the same time, borders of NATO nations that are close to Russia are also being shored up. Germany, which is often accused of being too lackadaisical toward Moscow, and Britain added to that effort on Monday and NATO itself also has plans.
FRANCE AND RUSSIA DISAGREE, BUT MORE TALKS TO COME
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up more than five hours of talks by registering their disagreements but also emphasizing the need for more talks.
Putin noted that the U.S. and NATO have ignored Moscow’s demands for NATO to keep Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations out, refrain from placing weapons there and roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe. He nevertheless signaled his readiness to continue the negotiations.
