Nov. 24—Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, and the research director of the Valdai Discussion Club who chaired Valdai’s Nov. 7 in-depth strategic discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, wrote in RT Nov. 21 that “it’s on the Ukrainian issue that the differences between the outgoing and incoming American administrations is most visible,” and that “the Biden administration is trying to secure its historical legacy and make it as difficult as possible for Trump’s new team to get out of the Ukraine quagmire.” This, of course, “presents significant potential for escalation, the limit of which is unclear.”

Lukyanov’s overall evaluation is on the mark: “Meanwhile, everyone is entering a dangerous phase in which the chances of descending into unmanageable confrontation are greater than before. The final days of Democrat rule in Washington promise to be risky.”