Joe Biden 'falling into Putin's trap' on Ukraine warns former CIA official

Mr Hoffman has warned that President Joe Biden has allowed Russia to “frame the debate” surrounding the de-escalation of the crisis on the border of Ukraine. It comes after Mr Biden spoke with President Vladimir Putin for the second time this month in a bid to tackle escalating tensions between NATO and Russia. The former CIA officer argued that the US was falling into a trap set by the Russian leader. 

Mr Hoffman said: “Well, this phone call, which should be noted was made at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“And make no mistake the Russians have really seized the initiative on this issue by amassing 100,000 troops and creating a false sense of urgency with unreasonable demands against NATO and Ukraine in particular, Vladimir Putin has framed the debate and we have fallen into his trap.

“We’re talking about de-escalation right now and not the substance of the issues.

“If we de-escalate, there’s going to be a price for that Vladimir Putin has said he wants a concrete guarantee that NATO will not expand eastward.”

He added: “We’re denying Ukraine a seat at the table for any discussions about their own future.

“That’s what Putin wants he wants to crush Ukraine’s democracy, and they are an existential threat to Russia, not because of the military threat that Putin speaks about so much, but because of liberty and freedom and democracy.

“That’s what scares Putin the most if Ukraine joins the European Union and NATO that would be a clarion call to Putin’s own opposition, which he fears so much.”

Biden and Putin exchanged warnings over Ukraine in a 50-minute call on Thursday to address Russian military actions.

However, he added: “I made it clear that it only could work if he de-escalated.”

The President was asked if Moscow would face sanctions if it kept troops on the border

Mr Biden replied: “I’m not going to negotiate here in public but we made it clear that he cannot – emphasize cannot – move on Ukraine.”