* “We will fight for the right to be and remain Russia.”–Vladimir Putin, who still waxes nostalgic for Joe Stalin and the Soviet Union.
* Putin has claimed that the West is trying to “cancel” Russia for its vicious and tragic assault on Ukraine. Hardly happenstance that he used an all-too-familiar, divisive, American political trope to underscore his claims.
* President Biden believed Barack Obama wasn’t tough enough on Putin over Crimea in 2014. Then he saw Donald Trump as an unconscionable Putin enabler and admirer. Now he wants to reset the American perspective and geopolitical record and call out Putin for what he is: a “butcher,” a “war criminal” and, most notably, someone who “cannot remain in power.” While all non-autocrats would agree, most would also agree that you don’t actually say that, ad lib or not. It can be a de facto, even if only rhetorical, escalation. It was an expression of moral outrage. Call it an understandable but unhelpful diplomatic lapse. Just ask Antony Blinken.
* Putin, reportedly, is still planning to attend the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia later this year. Imagine the small talk.
* It’s beyond ironic that as the U.S. takes the international lead in combating the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine and its dismissal and disparagement of democratic values, our own democracy here at home remains embattled and vulnerable.
*Ukrainian officials have been soliciting donations internationally. So far it has taken in more than $60 million, a significant percentage of which is in cryptocurrency.
* Serbia has refused to join in the imposition of international sanctions against Russia and has referenced Western “hysteria” over the Russian invasion. And yet, Serbia still wants to be part of the EU. Good luck, Belgrade.
* Rocket Man update: North Korea just test-fired its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile.