Russia and the U.S. Face Off Over Ukraine

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The diplomatic talks in Geneva this week are of a kind not seen in a long time: an effort to diffuse the possibility of a major war in Europe.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has amassed military equipment and personnel on the border with Ukraine. Mr. Putin believes that Russians and Ukrainians are unjustly and artificially divided.

President Biden has warned that there will be consequences if Mr. Putin decides to invade, but what can Washington do to impel the Kremlin to back down?

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Background reading

• Russia and the United States expressed some optimism after negotiations in Geneva, but they did not break an impasse over Moscow’s demand that Ukraine never become a member of NATO.

• Can the West stop Russia from invading Ukraine? Here’s a guide to what’s at stake.

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Transcripts of each episode are available by the next workday. You can find them at the top of the page.

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David E. Sanger contributed reporting.

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