Biden Meets With Putin Amid Escalating Tensions

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1) Biden Meets With Putin Amid Escalating Tensions

The Topline: As tensions continue to rise between the U.S. and Russia after Russian military forces were seen readying an assault on Ukraine, President Joe Biden met with President Vladimir Putin.

Quote Of The Day: “We continue to see a build-up of Russian military forces in the areas around northeastern and eastern Ukraine. … This build-up is concerning to us. It is still not entirely clear what Mr. Putin’s intentions are.”

– Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby

Mikhail Svetlov/Contributor/Getty Images

Background

U.S. intelligence indicates that Russia is readying a massive military offensive against Ukraine, with 175,000 troops, along with armor, artillery and other equipment, being placed along the border. Sources within the intelligence community say an attack could be carried out as early as next year. 

President Biden has apparently been working with France’s President Macron, Germany’s Chancellor Merkel, Italy’s Prime Minister Draghi and the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson to address the situation. 

He spoke to these leaders on Monday and Tuesday about their “shared concern about the Russian military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and Russia’s increasingly harsh rhetoric,” according to another White House statement.

The Meeting

On Tuesday, President Biden held a two-hour virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A White House readout of the two-hour phone call said Biden “voiced the deep concerns of the United States and our European Allies about Russia’s escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine.”

According to the read-out, Biden “made clear that the U.S. and our Allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation.” He also “reiterated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.”

The 145-word report concluded by saying Biden and Putin “tasked their teams to follow up, and the U.S. will do so in close coordination with allies and partners.”

Yesterday afternoon, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan briefed reporters on the outcome of the meeting between Biden and Putin.

What’s Next?

A response from the U.S. will likely involve additional sanctions, but Russia has rejected this possibility as a threat. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said if the new “sanctions from hell” are imposed, they would respond. 

Russia has also demanded NATO not get involved, and Putin was expected to tell Biden that Ukraine cannot be added as a NATO state because if a NATO state is attacked, all other NATO states would mobilize in its defense.

Kevin Frayer/Stringer/Getty Images

2) U.S. Announces Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics

The Topline: The U.S. government officially announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics on Monday, a decision made in response to human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party. 

Quote Of The Day: “The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games, given the PRC’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity … “

– White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki

Diplomatic Boycott

President Joe Biden told reporters last month he was considering a diplomatic boycott of the Games after many politicians from both sides of the aisle called for some form of action ahead of the Olympics. The Biden administration slammed the People’s Republic of China for their human rights abuses, saying U.S. diplomatic representation would allow the games to be treated as “business as usual.” 

This is only a diplomatic boycott, not a full boycott, meaning U.S. athletes are still participating in the games.

Reaction

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) called the move a “half measure,” calling for a full boycott of the Beijing Games, saying “we must not expose Team USA to the dangers of a repugnant authoritarian regime that disappears it’s own athletes,” in an apparent reference to women’s tennis player Peng Shuai, whose disappearance raised concerns after she publicly claimed she was sexually assaulted by a Chinese official.

The White House called for “proof” of Peng Shuai’s whereabouts in November, and last week, the Women’s Tennis Association announced they are suspending all WTA tournaments in China, including in Hong Kong, over concerns for Peng’s safety.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) said in late November that he supports a diplomatic boycott of the games but not a full boycott of the Olympics as it would punish the athletes. 

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China will take “firm countermeasures” in response.

Leigh Vogel/Stringer/Getty Images for Women’s March Inc via Getty Images

3) Abortion Advocates React To Supreme Court Case

The Topline: After the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding a Mississippi pro-life law last week, abortion advocates reacted strongly to

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