New Call between President Biden and President Putin of Russia - Biden Era

White House: Statement by the NSC Spokesperson on the call between Presidents Biden and Putin, " President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will hold a phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Thursday, December 30, 2021 to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia....The Biden Administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russia’s military build-up on the border with Ukraine. President Biden has spoken with leaders across Europe, and Biden Administration officials have engaged multilaterally with NATO, the EU, and the OSCE. Officials have also held numerous consultations with their counterparts, including those from eastern flank countries bilaterally and in the B9 format as well as Ukraine.  "

Lets Get Real:

This could be Putin wanting a diplomatic face saving way to get off the ramp he has created and his officials have talked about a new Cuban Missile Crisis, or it could be Putin wanting to place more pressure on the Biden Oval.  The Putin DEMANDS cannot be met, he wants a LEGAL TREATY that prevents the Ukraine becoming part of NATO in the future, also that Eastern States in NATO have no NATO troops or equipment on their soil.  These demands have to get a firm NO or the security structure of Western Europe falls apart and gives Russia back its influence over the Baltic States and Poland and other Eastern States.  It will be interesting to hear the readout of the talks, Biden cannot afford to be seen to appease Putin in anyway, or he will become the new Neville Chamberlain, and it will be compared to Munich 1938.  One does wonder how far Putin is willing to push this, does he really want to risk WW3 over the Ukraine, as the US would be forced to support and supply the Ukraine.  What is the pay off or Putin, has he gone MAD, or is he trying to buy popularity with the Russian people, any invasion of the Ukraine would be bloody and it would cost Russia and the West.