All eyes on Putin as chances of diplomatic solution dissolve: The Note
ABC News
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decided to recognize the independence of Russian-controlled Ukrainian separatist states Monday.
The TAKE with Averi Harper
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of Russian-controlled Ukrainian separatist states Monday have been widely interpreted as an escalation of tensions and have triggered limited sanctions from both the White House and the European Union.
These aren’t the "severe" sanctions promised if Russia invades Ukraine, but a warning shot. Still, the threat of far-reaching sanctions and the offer of a diplomatic out -- a soft agreement of a meeting between President Joe Biden and Putin if the Russian leader stands down -- hasn’t deterred a progression of Russian troops around Ukraine.
"We never give up hope on diplomacy until the missiles fly or the tanks roll," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told "Good Morning America" anchor Michael Strahan. He later added, "The likelihood there's a diplomatic solution given the troop movements of the Russians is diminishing hour by hour."
