Biden’s diplomacy of benign neglect on Ukraine and Poland

Although Poland is sliding from liberal democracy into populist dictatorship, Ukraine is desperate  to consolidate its democracy

While President Biden’s decision to keep Poland and Ukraine at a distance may seem surprising, there is a method to it — so-called "benign neglect", suggests Sławomir Sierakowski. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

US President Joe Biden is very familiar with both Poland and Ukraine. His decades of service has taught him that the two countries are among America’s most devoted friends and allies. 

Yet he waited until April 2 – just as Russian troops were once again massing on Ukraine’s eastern border – to call Ukraine’s president, and he still has not spoken to his Polish counterpart.