LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The leaders of the United States and the United Kingdom have expressed optimism that a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine issue is still possible, but have emphasised that the situation is still delicate.
Despite a string of warnings of probable Russian military action, Joe Biden and Boris Johnson agreed in a 40-minute call that a deal was still possible.
Despite swarming over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border, Russia has long denied plans to attack.
On Monday, its foreign minister stated that diplomacy was “far from exhausted.”
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet Mr Putin later on Tuesday as part of diplomatic attempts to avert an invasion.
After a lot of criticism for his delayed initial response, Mr Scholz met with the president of Ukraine in the capital on Monday, saying the Russian military build-up had “no reasonable explanation.”
More than a dozen countries have advised their nationals to flee Ukraine, while the United States has warned that aerial bombardments might start “at any time.”
According to a statement from Downing Street, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Biden stated there was still a “critical window” for diplomacy and for Russia to back off its threats against Ukraine during their meeting.
“The leaders emphasised that any further intrusion into Ukraine would result in a lengthy crisis for Russia, with far-reaching consequences for both Russia and the rest of the world, according to the statement.
Reportedly, Mr Johnson indicated that the UK was prepared to do whatever it could to help. Mr Biden replied: “We’re not going anywhere without you pal.”
On Tuesday, a cobra meeting will be held by Mr Johnson for discussing the UK’s reaction to the challenges.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky designated 16 February, a date cited by US officials as a probable day for a Russian invasion, a “day of unity,” and hailed the military’s might in a bold speech to the nation on Monday.
“We have something to respond with. We have a great army… this is an army many times stronger than eight years ago.”
He did say, though, that he sought to resolve all concerns through diplomacy and discussions.
When asked if there was a chance for a deal with the West, Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia stated the possibilities were nowhere close to being exhausted, adding that they obviously should not continue endlessly, but he would propose continuing and pushing them up.
Mr Lavrov’s words, spoken in a meeting with Mr Putin, are being interpreted as a clear acknowledgment that discussions could relieve the tensions.
Analysts think there is still an impasse if neither side moves on the sensitive topic of Ukraine potentially joining NATO.
Ukraine, a former Soviet republic with extensive social and cultural links to Russia, cannot join Nato, according to the Kremlin, which has requested that this be ruled out. This suggestion was turned down by NATO members.
