Russia cites unanswered Biden letter as new reason for 2022 invasion of Ukraine

Russian negotiators claimed at a meeting in Abu Dhabi that Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 because former U.S. President Joe Biden did not respond to a letter from Vladimir Putin, according to Axios. The letter, dated 2021, outlined Putin's security concerns in the region. In response, U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner told the Russians that the world has changed significantly since 2021 and suggested Moscow prepare a new proposal. Kushner and Witkoff also urged Russia to include "symmetric steps" for de-escalation and to allow European representatives at the negotiating table. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about ending the war by year's end, noting Russia refused to discuss maritime or energy ceasefires in Abu Dhabi.