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The U.S. is closing its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, and temporarily relocating remaining diplomats to a city in western Ukraine amidst the “dramatic acceleration  in the buildup of Russian forces” on the border of the Eastern European country, writes CNN. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement on Monday just days after the U.S. ordered the majority of its staff at the embassy to evacuate the Ukraine. Blinken spoke on the decision, saying “These prudent precautions in no way undermine our support for or our commitment to Ukraine. Our commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering … We also continue our sincere efforts to reach a diplomatic solution, and we remain engaged with the Russian government following President Biden's call with President Putin and my discussion with Foreign Minister Lavrov.”

President Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin via phone call that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would lead to “swift and severe” consequences, diminish Russia’s standing and cause “widespread human suffering,” reports the New York Times. The phone call was part of a Western diplomatic push to dissuade Putin from attacking Ukraine. According to Biden administration officials, the situation remains urgent. 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for a meeting with Russia over rising concerns about Russian military aggression, writes BBC News. Kuleba claimed that Russia ignored formal requests to discuss the buildup of military personnel along the Ukrainian border. The foreign minister also plans to request a meeting within the next 48 hours to discuss transparency about Russia’s military intentions in Eastern Europe. The Kremlin has yet to respond to Kuleba. 

Russia will not participate in a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), according to Reuters. Baltic states called for the meeting in order to discuss the “unusual military activity” in Belarus. News of Russia’s absence from the meeting was reported by Russian diplomat Konstantin Gavrilov. Russia is currently conducting military exercises in Belarus and the Baltics states reportedly fear that the drills will lead to a permanent Russian troop presence in the Eastern European country, reports the Washington Post. 

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered 160 American troops in Ukraine to relocate to Europe, according to the Hill. The press secretary for the Pentagon reported that out of an “abundance of caution, safety and security of our personnel his paramount concern. We remain committed to our relationship with the Ukrainian armed forces.” Austin’s decision to reposition the troops came after a phone call with Russia’s Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a statement alongside the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan that denounced North Korea’s recent missile tests, reports the New York Times. At a joint news conference, Blinken said that North Korea was in its “phase of provocation” and that the three countries would “continue to hold [North Korea] accountable.” In recent months, North Korea has been conducting missile tests at its fastest rate in years. Despite their condemnation of the recent tests, all three officials reaffirmed that their respective countries are open to diplomacy and dialogue with North Korea. 

The Ambassador Bridge that links the U.S. to Canada reopened after weeks of disruptions from the “freedom convoy” of truckers protesting coronavirus restrictions, writes Politico. Canadian authorities worked to reopen the bridge alongside officials from the Biden administration after the blockade of trucks and protestors began to significantly affect U.S.-Canada trade. The White  House’s homeland security adviser released a statement saying “Canadian authorities are taking proactive steps to ensure no further unlawful disruption of the flow of people and goods occurs.”

Trump ally John Eastman turned over 8,000 emails to the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to CNN. In addition to the 8,000 emails turned over, Eastman is withholding 11,000 others and claimed that they are “privileged materials.” Eastman is a lawyer who worked with former President Trump to craft the argument that the 2020 election was stolen. 

ICYMI: This Weekend on Lawfare

Katherine Harvey explained how Saudi Arabia had strong influence in Iraq in the years following the Iraq War. 

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