President Biden held a video conference call on Sept. 8 with “allies and partners to underscore continued international support for Ukraine,” the White House reported. Top on the agenda? Europe’s energy crisis ("Russia’s weaponization of energy and the need for further coordination to secure sustainable and affordable energy supplies for Europe"). Not all allies were rustled up. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, Germany’s Chancellor Scholz, Italy’s lame duck Prime Minister Draghi, Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida, Romania’s President Iohannis, Poland’s President Duda, and the inimitable Truss of Britain. NATO’s Stoltenberg was also included (what state he heads was not identified).
Secretary of State Tony Blinken flew into Brussels on Sept. 9, fresh off his unannounced visit to Kiev. In a press availability before arrival, he, too, talked up “unity,” proclaiming that he is in Brussels “because what has worked so well for us thus far has been our unity—unity of purpose, unity of action…. And I’m confident that based on every conversation I’ve had, every engagement I’ve had, it’s going to continue.”
First question to him from the press: What about Europe’s energy crisis? Answer: “President Biden said from the start that standing up for what’s at stake with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was not going to be cost-free,” etc. So, suck it up, guys.
Pressed as to when and if negotiations could/should take place between Ukraine and Russia, he answered that of course Ukraine will decide, BUT “unless and until Russia demonstrates that it’s serious about engaging in diplomacy, there’s not much, alas, to be done.” Ah yes, “alas.”
