Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
With fears of an open conflict in Ukraine occurring. US President Joe Biden and his other western counterparts have been keen on utilizing diplomatic efforts in trying to de-escalate the situation. According to a reporter, Biden’s strategy is working.
Speaking on CNN Wednesday, Puck News reporter Julia Joffe said the US leader’s strategy of continuous diplomatic efforts is paying off in the midst of the tensions. In a piece for the outlet, Joffe said that Biden’s strategy is becoming more successful in light of the aggression indicated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Host John Berman agreed, noting that the Biden administration has constantly pushed for diplomacy as Putin continues advances in the buildup of troops in the border with Ukraine.
“I mean, the Biden White House doesn’t have that many options,” said Joffe.
“It is actually a pretty weak hand that they’re playing pretty deftly. They said no American troops are going to be involved. So, that’s off the table. Sanctions are on the table but at this point, Putin just sees them as the cost of doing business. As I wrote, he sees it more as an overhead than a deterrent. And so what the Biden administration is left with is, you know, basically informational warfare. And unmasking Russian plans before the Russians can implement them and taking away the element of surprise and I think it is working pretty well,” Joffe continued.
Joffe also noted that the move would buy time for diplomatic efforts to succeed, which is what Moscow appears to want.
Thousands of Russian troops remain at its border with Ukraine even as Moscow has denied planning such an invasion. Biden recently warned that Russia may invade at any time, with signs that Russia is carrying out a false flag operation to justify its possible invasion. This follows the clash between Ukrainians and pro-Russia separatists.
“We have reason to believe they are engaged in a false flag operation to have an excuse to go in. Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine and attack Ukraine,” said Biden from the White House. “My sense is it will happen in the next several days.”
