President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold another call on Thursday ahead of planned security talks between US and Russian officials that will take place on January 10th in Geneva.
National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said the two leaders will “discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia.” An administration official told CNN that Putin requested the call, and Biden accepted because “he believes when it comes to Russia there is no substitute for direct leader-leader dialogue.”
The call will be the second time this month that the two leaders speak amid heightened tensions around Ukraine and NATO military activity in the Black Sea and other sensitive areas near Russia. The US has been claiming Russia is plotting to invade Ukraine, an accusation Moscow denies.
Russia is seeking security guarantees from the US, including a pledge that NATO won’t expand further east and absorb Ukraine. Russia’s security proposals and other issues, such as arms control, will be discussed between officials on January 10th.
In the meantime, the US continues to boost support for Ukraine and conduct military provocations in the region. Ukraine’s border service announced this week that the US is bankrolling a $20 million project to strengthen the Ukrainian border with Russian and Belarus. On Monday, two US spy planes made a rare flight over eastern Ukraine, near the conflict zone in the Donbas region.
Typical Biden: accept a call, then direct the military to provoke Russia further. This has been Biden’s methodology since he took office, both on China and Russia: say one thing, then within 24 hours do the exact opposite. Alternatively it signals that he doesn’t even have control of his administration. Putin will see through this. I expect Putin wants this call in order to assess whether Biden is even capable of negotiations.
I keep trying to be positive but it keeps turning into something else. I believe that talking is good but talks must be constructive and present the possibility of more productive outcomes. What we see with Biden is very erratic behavior. I cannot make sense of it…
I agree with your last sentence. But Biden is just a pretty face. Blinken & Sullivan, West Exec, is the real thing. A little over a week ago Nuland in her inimitable fashion delivered their position to Ryabkov. Putin responded by publicly announcing his and requesting direct talks. As usual that round went to Putin/Lavrov. Putin’s phone call, is as you say, to assess whether it’s worth it if it’s nothing more than a stage for Biden’s gas-bagging. Putin will cancel and the world will watch as Biden loses his bishop.
I do not like to be reactionary but I am deeply concerned about the escalation in these activities. I feel that the Russians concerns are legitimate, they are not over reacting, they are monitoring the developments carefully. But if all of these moves continue, we are likely to find ourselves in a conflict or war… Hope that discussions will contribute to reducing tensions, yet, I do not feel that they will. The US needs to stay in its own backyard, out of practicality and in order to prevent an escalation.
My assessment exactly. Russia would not undertake such a structured process unless it has thought it through. Last seven years of US-West/Russia relationship has been characterized by the continuous and strategic development of case against Russia. While by now we have probably forgotten many — in public mind the very word Russia is associated with poisonings, plane downing, athlete doping, agression,
Such cases are built for “total war” purposes, a concept where the evil has been so solidly established, that once a severe measdures are being taken against country and its people — there is no longer any need to explainn. Thus diplomatic mission properties can be seized, businesses “sanctioned”, meaning taking over their funds or property. and so on, Russia was patient, worked within limitations and dealing with problems thorougly,
But things changed in 2015 when it became obvious that US and West decided to transform Ukraine — against the wishes of milions of Russian speakers, eliminate Russian language use through schools and job requirements. Since Ukraine has been a bilingual country for a long time, such radical social restructuring is worrisome, and the potential for Ukraine fracturing is real.
The pricess under way is structured and timed. Russia is setting time table and is engaging in public diplomacy — the only format possible under curcumstances.
As US or UK and otgers have no capability to accede to Russia’s need for security guarantees, conflict is inevitable. The only question is – what format will it take.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated. PEACE!
I am very glad they are talking but…Actions speak louder than words. I am greatly concerned about NATO activities. It is causing my stress level to elevate.
I was glad to see the backend of Trump but my vibe on Biden ain’t much better.
I’m thinking about building a bomb shelter in my backyard.
I’m not sure if I like my country anymore. I don’t recognize it. I no longer see leadership, I see that we are being consumed by our own military’s militarism and a rather cavalier attitude with regard to the rest of the world. 20 million dollars to strengthen a military border?! Kiss my backside. We’re going to trip ourselves into a war…