The barrage of media-generated stories on the “intelligence” supposedly showing that Russia is about to invade Ukraine, probably in most cases leaked by unnamed officials, is having its intended effect on President Joe Biden. Biden promised yesterday that Russia’s alleged plans will be on the agenda for the video teleconference meeting now expected to be held between himself and Russian President Valdimir Putin. “We’re aware of Russia’s actions for a long time and my expectation is we’re going to have a long discussion with Putin,” Biden told reporters as he departed for a weekend trip to Camp David, reported Reuters. “I don’t accept anybody’s red lines.”
Earlier in the day, during a White House event on employment, Biden promised to make things difficult for Putin should he decide to invade Ukraine. “And what I am doing is putting together what I believe to be — will be — the most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for Mr. Putin to go ahead and do what people are worried he may do,” he said in response to a reporter’s question. “But that’s in play right now.”
