ADVERTISEMENT In his second telephone conversation with Putin, Biden “made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia’s actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference.” Tough talk, but Biden ended the conversation with a surprise (and inappropriate) invitation to a summit. A summit that Putin has so far declined to accept, even as he continues to mass troops along the Ukraine border and block seaways to that nation. This repudiation of Biden’s ill-prepared offer to meet with the “killer” Putin is humiliating. As is Biden’s decision to recall two U.S. warships that had been en route to the Black Sea as a show of force. Putin barked, warning the U.S. to stay clear of the area “for their own good,” and Biden blinked.