Former President Joe Biden Makes Direct Call to Russian President Vladimir Putin After Receiving Intelligence Warning About Ukraine Escalation in Washington

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New details have emerged about a tense moment in 2021 when former Joe Biden directly called Russian President Vladimir Putin after receiving intelligence that left the White House deeply unsettled.

Reports from The Guardian indicate that American intelligence agencies had warned Biden that Putin might use his annual state-of-the-nation address to signal potential military actions concerning Ukraine.

Intelligence Assessments Spark Urgency

According to the report, US officials briefed Biden roughly a week prior to Putin’s speech.

Analysts suggested that the address could include rhetoric justifying escalatory measures, raising alarm among top American policymakers.

Former Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines recalled that Biden reacted with unusual urgency, expressing concern and even proposing a summit in the coming months to address potential risks.

The intelligence reports reportedly described possible moves by Russia that could threaten Ukraine’s security and destabilize the region, prompting the president to seek direct dialogue with Putin rather than rely solely on indirect channels.

The call was intended to clarify intentions and potentially deter aggressive steps.

Putin’s Speech Defied Predictions

Despite the anxiety fueled by these assessments, Putin’s address did not include the aggressive signals that US intelligence had feared.

Analysts noted that the speech lacked any direct justification for military escalation.

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Sir Keir Starmer’s government has appointed Dame Antonia Romeo as the new Cabinet Secretary and head of the civil service, marking the first time a woman has held the country’s most senior civil service role. Her appointment comes after the removal of Sir Chris Wormald, just 14 months into his tenure, and has sparked debate over her previous leadership style and focus on inclusivity initiatives. A Trailblazer With a Controversial Track Record Dame Antonia, 51, previously led the Department for International Trade (DIT), the Ministry of Justice, and the Home Office. During her time at DIT from 2017 to 2021, reports indicate that civil servants were encouraged to engage with inclusivity objectives, including raising awareness of non-binary identities and promoting gender inclusivity in the workplace. One staff member was reportedly tasked with dedicating up to 20 percent of their time to initiatives such as encouraging colleagues to display preferred pronouns, recruiting non-binary staff, and participating in the department’s “gender non-conforming book club.” Members of the club read works like Middlesex, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, as well as books about gender transition. Inclusivity Objectives in Annual Reviews According to reports, these inclusivity tasks contributed roughly 5 percent to a civil servant’s annual performance appraisal. Additional expectations reportedly included engaging with the non-binary corporate network and challenging societal norms that reinforce traditional gender roles. A Cabinet Office spokesperson emphasized that the objectives were agreed between employees and their line managers, not directly set by Dame Antonia. “Antonia was not involved in setting these objectives,” the spokesperson said. Political Reactions and Public Debate The appointment has divided opinion. Reform UK spokesman Zia Yusuf criticized the Prime Minister for appointing someone dubbed “the Queen of Woke” to the UK’s most powerful civil service position, calling her “the embodiment of all that’s wrong with The Blob.” Conversely, former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, now a member of Reform UK, welcomed the appointment, describing Dame Antonia as a “good appointment.” Downing Street also defended the selection, noting that an enhanced due diligence process was carried out before her appointment. Past Allegations and Clearance Dame Antonia previously faced accusations of bullying related to her time as Consul-General in New York in 2017. However, the Cabinet Office cleared her of these allegations. She has spent nearly a decade leading economic, public services, and security departments and is recognized for her record of delivering for the British public. Leadership in a Time of Change Her appointment comes at a time when the civil service is under scrutiny for its role in implementing government policies while navigating cultural and political sensitivities. Supporters point to her experience across multiple departments as evidence of her ability to manage complex operations at the highest level of government. What’s Next? Dame Antonia’s immediate focus will be overseeing the civil service, ensuring effective policy implementation, and maintaining morale within Whitehall. Observers will watch closely to see how she balances her leadership responsibilities with public and political scrutiny over past inclusivity initiatives. Analysts suggest that her tenure could set precedents for how diversity, equity, and inclusion are integrated into senior civil service roles. Summary By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 07:08 EST, 20 February 2026 | Updated: 09:01 EST, 20 February 2026 Dame Antonia Romeo has been appointed the UK’s first female Cabinet Secretary, succeeding Sir Chris Wormald. Her tenure at the Department for International Trade drew attention for inclusivity initiatives, including staff participation in a “gender non-conforming book club” and promoting awareness of non-binary identities, which reportedly contributed to annual performance reviews. While her appointment has sparked criticism from some political figures, the Cabinet Office clarified she did not personally set these objectives. Cleared of past bullying allegations, Dame Antonia brings extensive experience leading major government departments, and her leadership will now shape the civil service amid ongoing debates about diversity and workplace culture.

Sir Keir Starmer Appoints Dame Antonia Romeo as Cabinet Secretary to Lead UK Civil Service Amid Controversy Over Past Inclusivity ProgramsSir Keir Starmer Appoints Dame Antonia Romeo as Cabinet Secretary to Lead UK Civil Service Amid Controversy Over Past Inclusivity Programs

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The day after the address, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the completion of inspections involving forces from the Southern and Western military districts and ordered troops back to their permanent bases.

This move was widely analyzed as a non-escalatory step, contrasting with the warnings previously circulated in Washington.

Political Reverberations Years Later

The incident has resurfaced in discussions over the Ukraine conflict, particularly after a high-profile summit on August 16, 2025, between Putin and former President Donald Trump in Anchorage.

During that meeting, Putin publicly agreed with Trump’s assertion that a different outcome in the 2020 US election might have changed the trajectory of events.

Trump has repeatedly framed the Ukraine crisis as stemming from what he calls “Biden’s failure,” while also acknowledging Russia’s objections to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.

These statements continue to influence political narratives in the US and abroad, highlighting how intelligence reports and presidential decisions can have long-lasting implications.

What’s Next?

Scholars and analysts may continue to examine how US intelligence assessments shaped presidential decision-making in 2021.
The episode could inform future approaches to early-warning intelligence and direct diplomatic engagement with world leaders.
Ongoing debates about the Ukraine conflict’s origins may revisit this call as a critical example of crisis management and communication.
Political commentators and historians are likely to evaluate how both Biden’s and Trump’s statements influence international perceptions of US policy toward Russia.

Summary

In 2021, former President Joe Biden made a direct call to Russian President Vladimir Putin after intelligence suggested that Putin’s state-of-the-nation address might justify military action toward Ukraine.

The speech ultimately did not contain the anticipated aggressive signals, and Russian forces returned to their bases shortly afterward.

The episode has resurfaced amid ongoing debates about the Ukraine conflict, particularly following Trump’s public remarks suggesting a different 2020 election outcome could have altered events.

The call illustrates the tension between intelligence assessments, presidential decision-making, and diplomatic communication during high-stakes international situations.