There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Omicron variant: It could be
like Delta and current vaccines will offer robust protection. But
there’s also a chance that Omicron could be vaccine resistant, so
vaccine makers are readying a booster to protect against the new
variant, just in case.

That could be the future: a new variant, followed by a new vaccine
booster to defend against it, followed by a new variant… Rinse. Repeat.
It’s what we do to fight the annual flu. But it all takes time, and a
new coronavirus variant can spread rapidly and kill a lot of people
during the process.

And, ahead of President Joe Biden’s highly anticipated video conference
with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sources tell NYT’s David Sanger
and Eric Schmitt that the president is “expected to encourage diplomatic
de-escalation over the conflict in Ukraine,” and warn Putin that “if he
orders the Russian forces poised at the border to invade Ukraine,
Western allies may move to cut Russia off from the international
financial system and seek direct sanctions on Mr. Putin’s closest
associates.” How BIden handles this meeting could mean the difference
between a free and independent Ukraine and one overrun by Russian
troops. No pressure. 

Raghu Manavalan is the Host of POLITICO's Playbook.
Jenny Ament is the Senior Producer of POLITICO Audio.