Presiden Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Jan. 2 that the U.S. and its allies “will respond decisively” if Russia invades the Donbas region in southeastern Ukraine.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in her statement that both leaders “expressed support for diplomatic efforts,” but that “the U.S. and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine.” Psaki referred to ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue between the U.S. and Russia, and discussions through the NATO-Russia Council and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). She reiterated Biden’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Biden’s committing America and its partners and allies to the principle of “nothing about you without you.” One wonders if this news-speak rhyming can be made to work in Ukrainian, but Zelenskyy as an actor must have spoken inanities like it.