Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of Russian-controlled Ukrainian separatist states Monday have been widely interpreted as an escalation of tensions and have triggered limited sanctions from both the White House and the European Union.
“We never give up hope on diplomacy until the missiles fly or the tanks roll,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told “Good Morning America” anchor Michael Strahan. He later added, “The likelihood there’s a diplomatic solution given the troop movements of the Russians is diminishing hour by hour.”
In an interview with ABC News’ Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned of a potentially dangerous situation for civilians in Ukraine’s capital city. He indicated that Russia has the capability to have a “significant amount of combat power move very quickly to take Kyiv.”
The risk of higher gas prices amid inflation worries could worsen what some would describe as dismal prospects for political gains for Biden and Democrats during this high-stakes election year.
Abc
