European and U.S. Leaders Race to Defuse Crisis

Washington Post: “The high-stakes diplomacy over Russia’s military buildup near Ukraine is set to continue this week, as European and U.S. leaders race to defuse an escalating standoff that officials warn could lead to a barrage of Russian missile and bomb attacks on Ukraine within days.”

“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Kyiv on Monday and Moscow on Tuesday, after weekend talks between President Biden and President Vladimir Putin of Russia — and separate discussions between the Russian leader and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron — again failed to yield a diplomatic breakthrough.”

Associated Press: “U.S. officials have warned that Russia could attack this week. Moscow denies it has any such plans but has massed well over 130,000 troops near Ukraine and, in the U.S. view, has built up enough firepower to launch an attack on short notice.”

Financial Times: Putin leaves the West guessing.