NATO, Ukraine autonomy pose diplomatic challenges for Biden
By ELLEN KNICKMEYER, MATTHEW LEE and NOMAAN MERCHANT
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says the U.S. will take a more direct role in diplomacy to address Vladimir Putin’s concerns over Ukraine and Europe. It’s part of a broader effort to dissuade the Russian leader from ordering a destabilizing new invasion of Ukraine. But any negotiations to peacefully resolve Europe’s East-West rivalries will present minefields for Biden. The challenge will be encouraging Kyiv to accept some of the facts on the ground in areas of eastern Ukraine now controlled by Russia-backed separatists. And to do so without appearing to cave to Putin.