President Biden has quietly assembled a team to determine how to respond if Russia were to unleash chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. The Tiger Team, as the group is known, is also examining responses if Vladimir Putin reaches into NATO territory to attack convoys bringing weapons and aid to Ukraine, according to several officials. Meeting three times a week, the team is also looking at responses if Russia seeks to extend the war to neighboring nations and is considering how to prepare European countries for the influx of refugees. More by NY Times here.
“I’m on my way to Europe to rally the international community in support of Ukraine and ensure Putin pays a severe economic cost for his war of choice,” President Biden tweeted on Wednesday. “I think Ukraine should be given Russia’s $415 billion in foreign exchange reserves that were seized by Western countries, as war reparations,” Jon Cooper suggested in his tweet. Cooper is former National Finance Chair of Draft Biden 2016, Long Island Campaign Chair for @BarackObama and Majority Leader of Suffolk County Legislature, NY.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the U.S. has concluded Russian forces committed war crimes in Ukraine. Blinken said the assessment (to arrive at formal determination) was based on a “careful review” of public and intelligence sources.
The Times, London reports the risk of coup by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) against President Putin is growing every week that the war in Ukraine continues. It cites a whistleblower at the heart of Russian intelligence.
RELATED:
Ukraine: On the Fault Line Between East and West
Why It’s No Longer Possible for Any Country to Win a War
