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Ukraine crisis: Macron heads for talks with Putin, while Scholz and Biden meet in DC – live coverage
Day of diplomacy as tensions continue over Russia’s massive troops build-up on Ukraine border
German chancellor Olaf Scholz has set off on a whirlwind diplomatic tour today, in an effort to avert the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, starting in Washington where he is expected to be received by President Joe Biden this evening. Under pressure to show more commitment towards backing a military effort by Ukraine as it seeks to defend itself from the threat, but facing tough resistance back home over deploying lethal weapons, Scholz’s first US visit since becoming German leader in December has been described both at home and abroad as a “face-saving mission”, in which he will be expected to prove Germany is a reliable partner.
Ahead of his departure he struck a more defiant tone over the crisis than in recent weeks, informing the broadcaster ARD that he intended to send more troops to Lithuania in an effort to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.
These next few months rather seem to call for firm defence of the existing post-1989 order.
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