France hopes for ‘historic solution’ to Ukraine crisis | First Thing
Macron is optimistic ahead of meeting with Putin, despite the US saying Russia could invade tomorrow'. Plus, meet the teens of the Banned Book Club
Good morning.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, believes he can deliver a historic solution" to the Ukraine crisis ahead of his arrival in Moscow for talks with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
Why does Sullivan believe this? The White House believes Moscow has assembled at least 70% of the firepower it needs to give Vladimir Putin the option of a major military operation by mid-February.
What else is planned for today? While Macron is in Moscow, the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will be in Washington for talks with Biden, aiming to narrow differences between the US and German approach to the crisis.
What has Germany done differently? The German government has refused to act on Kyiv's calls for arms and has been vague over the future of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany.
Legal experts were astonished at Trump's strong hints that he would pardon many of those charged for attacking the Capitol on 6 January last year in hopes of thwarting Biden's certification by Congress if he runs and wins a second term in 2024.
What else did he say? While I strongly condemn what Joe has said ... I want to make one point very clear - I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer," he said.
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