Biden reassures CEE over Russia, Ukraine

US President Joe Biden discussed the threat of a possible Russian attack on Ukraine with numerous NATO member countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) on Thursday. Speaking with the leaders of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia for 40 minutes, Biden pledged to bolster US military presence within the territories of the NATO allies and reportedly offered reassurances that they would be involved in negotiations with Moscow.

Biden had earlier spoken with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy for an hour and a half on how to settle the situation in eastern Ukraine, where Russia has also amassed armaments and troops at the border.

Those communications follow Biden’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in which he promised profound sanctions against Moscow if it invades Ukraine. Following that two-hour video call, Biden spoke with the leaders of four major NATO allies: the UK, Germany, France and Italy. Those countries are likely to be involved in talks with Russia scheduled for today to discuss NATO.

Poland opposes any attempt to accommodate an expansionist Russia. As for the other CEE states, Lithuania’s former foreign and defence minister Linas Linkevicius said “nothing should be discussed without us”.