Russian servicemen take part in military drills at Molkino training ground in the Krasnodar region, Russia, Dec. 14, 2021 (AP photo).
Europe Is Playing Bystander to the U.S. and Russia on the Ukraine Crisis
Dave Keating Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022
The “Christmas surprise” invasion of Ukraine that some in Europe were expecting from Moscow did not eventually materialize, but Russian troops amassed near the two countries’ border have still not dispersed. This week, European capitals are trying to figure out what Russia’s intentions are.
Senior officials from Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia are today discussing the continued military buildup. Tomorrow, NATO foreign ministers will meet by video ahead of a summit between U.S. and Russian officials in Geneva next week. Given the continued standoff, the biggest question for Brussels remains whether to use a carrot or stick approach to convince Russia to scale back its full-court press of Ukraine. ...