In a poorly considered, poorly timed, and generally infuriating move, “liberals” in Congress sent an open letter to the White House, calling for direct U.S. talks with Russia. WaPo (Gift Article, much in the same way this article is a gift to Putin): Liberals urge Biden to rethink Ukraine strategy. Apparently these lawmakers weren’t satisfied with watching the Ken Burns produced documentary on America’s weak initial response to Hitler and are determined to reenact it.

+ “By groundlessly suggesting that Ukraine is preparing to use a ‘dirty bomb,’ the Kremlin is testing the West—and potentially provoking a nuclear standoff.” Tom Nichols in The Atlantic: Russia’s ‘Dirty Bomb’ Ploy. (Expect more of this, and maybe worse, as the US election approaches.)

+ Russian court rejects Brittney Griner’s appeal over jail term.