‘One of the decisive moments of his presidency’: Biden heads to a troubled Europe

U.S. officials believe that Ukraine’s defense is about to hit a critical phase with Russia launching its much-telegraphed offensive. The Biden administration has urgently pressed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration to consolidate its gains — and perhaps launch its own counterstrike. Aides have explored attempting to covertly get Biden across the border in Ukraine but a trip has been all but ruled out. But most aides believe the security risk to Biden or Ukraine would not be worth it. Facing little domestic pressure to end the war, Putin is operating as if he can outlast the Western alliance.