Biden’s impossible bind: how should the US tackle Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?

The US president is facing demands for America to do more for Ukraine - but he's also determined to avoid being the US president who started a third world war

It is an impossible bind. Joe Biden faces demands for America to do more as Ukrainian civilians are terrorized and killed by Russia. But he is also determined to avoid going down in history as the US president who started a third world war.

Russia has pummeled Ukraine with more than 625 missiles so far, according to the Pentagon, causing untold death and destruction and prompting an exodus of 2m refugees. Vladimir Putin is now reportedly recruiting Syrian mercenaries and preparing to level cities in a bid to break Ukrainians' will in the face of his invasion.