With fears of an open conflict in Ukraine occurring. US President Joe Biden and his other western counterparts have been keen on utilizing diplomatic efforts in trying to de-escalate the situation. According to a reporter, Biden’s strategy is working.
Speaking on CNN Wednesday, Puck News reporter Julia Joffe said the US leader’s strategy of continuous diplomatic efforts is paying off in the midst of the tensions. In a piece for the outlet, Joffe said that Biden’s strategy is becoming more successful in light of the aggression indicated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Host John Berman agreed, noting that the Biden administration has constantly pushed for diplomacy as Putin continues advances in the buildup of troops in the border with Ukraine.
“I mean, the Biden White House doesn’t have that many options,” said Joffe.
“It is actually a pretty weak hand that they’re playing pretty deftly. They said no American troops are going to be involved. So, that’s off the table. Sanctions are on the table but at this point, Putin just sees them as the cost of doing business. As I wrote, he sees it more as an overhead than a deterrent. And so what the Biden administration is left with is, you know, basically informational warfare. And unmasking Russian plans before the Russians can implement them and taking away the element of surprise and I think it is working pretty well,” Joffe continued.
Joffe also noted that the move would buy time for diplomatic efforts to succeed, which is what Moscow appears to want.
Thousands of Russian troops remain at its border with Ukraine even as Moscow has denied planning such an invasion. Biden recently warned that Russia may invade at any time, with signs that Russia is carrying out a false flag operation to justify its possible invasion. This follows the clash between Ukrainians and pro-Russia separatists.
“We have reason to believe they are engaged in a false flag operation to have an excuse to go in. Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine and attack Ukraine,” said Biden from the White House. “My sense is it will happen in the next several days.”