Why U.S. Soldiers Won’t Come to Ukraine’s Rescue

<p>Since the beginning of the standoff with Moscow over Ukraine, President Biden has been clear that he will not allow American troops to come into direct combat with Russians.</p><p>Why has the U.S., a country that has intervened all over the world in various contexts, taken that powerful option off the table?</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-e-sanger?smid=pc-thedaily">David E. Sanger</a>, a White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times.</p><p>Have you lost a loved one during the pandemic? The Daily is working on a special episode memorializing those we have lost to the coronavirus. If you would like to share their name on the episode, please RECORD A VOICE MEMO and send it to us at <a href="mailto:thedaily@nytimes.com">thedaily@nytimes.com</a>. You can find more information and<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/podcasts/daily-memorial-covid.html"> specific instructions here</a>.</p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>While recent Russian rhetoric has stoked hopes of a diplomatic solution, U.S. and NATO officials have<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/16/world/europe/ukraine-russia-putin-nato.html"> accused Moscow of further building up troops</a>.</li><li>President Biden’s opposition to sending U.S. forces into Ukraine reflects<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/05/us/politics/biden-ukraine-russia-war.html"> the mood of a war-wary Washington</a>, as well as concerns about Russia’s nuclear arsenal.</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-europe.html">Here’s a guide</a> to the causes behind the Ukraine crisis and where it might be headed.</li></ul><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the