For US President Biden there are NO deals to be made over the inviolability of Ukraine's (incl: Crimea!) borders!

Finally the diplomatic 'tip-toeing' around Putin has ended.

Putin and his 'siloviki' are finally getting the message that 'ALL BETS ARE OFF' if he invades Ukraine for the SECOND time.

Speaking in June of 2021, the then arrogant statements of Putin's mouthpiece,  Dmitry Peskov, that,

"The Kremlin said Monday that despite over 90 U.S. sanctions against Russia throughout history, the political instrument is ineffective and fails to reach its end goal.
...
Peskov said that "sanctions do not help achieve anything, this is not an instrument that works with Russia." (Xinhua News: Thursday, January  20, 2022) (my emphasis)

has now caught up with him.

Suddenly The Moscow Times is now reporting that,

"The United States’ plans to levy sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin would be an “extreme” step that would signify a complete breakdown in ties between the two countries, the Kremlin said Thursday.

U.S. senators, with support from the White House, unveiled a package of hard-hitting sanctions Wednesday evening intended to “devastate” the Russian economy should Moscow invade Ukraine.

Among the measures would be personal sanctions against Putin, as well as several other top officials including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (left)" (Moscow Times : 13 January 2022) (my emphasis)

As reported by Dominic Waghorn,

"US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Russia that the world is watching as Moscow continues military manoeuvres involving 100,000 troops on the border with Ukraine.
......
The US is sending further military materiel to Ukraine and will supply more if Russia invades as well as bolstering forces in Ukraine's neighbours. The secretary of state also warned Ukraine to stand firm and united against Russian efforts to divide them." (Sky News : 19 January 2022) (my emphasis)

US President Biden is also firm in his stand against Putin.  

As reported by BBC News,

"[US President Biden] .. told a news conference Mr Putin would pay a "serious and dear price" for invading, but indicated a minor incursion might be treated differently.

The White House later stressed any Russian military move would be met with a swift, severe response from the West. (BBC News : 20 Januaery 2022) (my emphasis)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's current flurry of diplomatic meetings with the EU has also resulted in putting those members of the EU, who are still dragging their feet over 'tough' sanctions against Putin and his clique, into a situation where they simply have to either side with Putin or with Ukraine.

 As reported by Matthew Lee and Frank Jordans,

"In his speech to the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, Blinken will elaborate on the American position on Ukraine, the broader historical context of the current crisis, and the need for allies to present a unified front to confront Russia’s aggression and violations of international norms, U.S. officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to publicly preview Blinken’s speech." ( AP : 20 January 2022) (my emphasis)

As the pressure against Putin mounts, suddenly he is now calling for a call with President Biden.

As reported by Olga Pavlova,

"Russia would welcome another conversation between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a call with journalists on Thursday.

The two presidents last spoke on December 31, the second time in a month that they had attempted to defuse the situation in Ukraine, where Russia has amassed 100,000 troops along the border.

"We also do not rule out another communication between the two presidents. We believe that in any case, such communication can only be welcomed, it is useful for both states," Peskov said." (CNN : 20 January 2022) (my emphasis)

US President Biden should not fall for this ploy of Putin.

Putin knows what US President Biden's position is regarding any attempt by Putin's to invade Ukraine for a second time.

For US President Biden there are NO deals to be made over the inviolability of Ukraine's borders, including Crimea!

 (to be continued)