Biden says Ukraine "unlikely" to join NATO anytime soonJanuary 20, 2022 - 12:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Joe Biden believes Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO anytime soon but it would not be possible to agree it would never happen. Biden said he expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to "move in" on Ukraine as Russia continues to build up troops on the border and neither the U.S.-led NATO nor Russia appears to be ready to cede to the other's demands, Nikkei Asia reports. "I'm not sure he ... is certain about what he's going to do," Biden said in a news conference, his first such solo appearance at the White House since last March. "My guess is he will move in -- he has to do something." Biden began with an address touting the accomplishments of his administration's first year in office before taking questions from journalists for nearly two hours on a range of issues from his stalled legislative agenda to foreign policy. Biden said he believes that Putin does not want a full-blown war but will test the U.S. and NATO as much as he can -- and that he will face severe consequences for doing so. The American leader indicated that there is room to work with Putin regarding demands like no strategic weapons to be stationed in Ukraine and that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO anytime soon but it would not be possible to agree it would never happen. "So there's room to work if he wants to do that," Biden said. Photo: Getty Images Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |