US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have spoken via a secure video call for two hours, with the ongoing situation in Ukraine at the top of the agenda
The Kremlin has labelled the summit as “Frank and professional” and says Putin requested Biden for ‘guarantees’ that NATO will not expand eastwards.
While the White House says in a statement that Biden “voiced the deep concerns of the United States and our European Allies about Russia’s escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine”.
The administration has made it clear that the US and its allies will respond with both economic and other measures “in the event of military escalation”
Biden has reiterated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and is calling for a “return of diplomacy”.
For many analysts, the question that remains following the talks is whether Putin will actually launch an attack on Ukraine, or whether Putin is pressuring Biden to guarantee that the nation will not become a so-called “NATO launchpad”.
Following the call, Biden was expected to speak with several American allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Putin has previously complained that Ukraine poses a threat to his country through its close ties to the US and European nations
American intelligence officials said last week they believe Russia is preparing for an invasion of the former Soviet republic that could involve about 175,000 troops.
The White House said Biden called on “de-escalation and a return to diplomacy” from Russia.
Biden was “crystal clear” with Putin about the consequences Russia would face should an invasion occur.
Biden warned Putin that if Russia invades Ukraine, the U.S. will provide additional weaponry to the Ukrainians and impose unprecedented sanctions on Russia, national security adviser Jake Sullivan says.
“I will look you in the eye and tell you as President Biden looked President Putin in the eye and told him today that things we did not do in 2014, we are prepared to do now,”
said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
“We still do not believe Pres. Putin has made a decision” on whether to invade Ukraine, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters after Biden-Putin call.
However, it’s important to note that Moscow has dismissed these claims as “fake news” with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister saying contact between the two countries was “badly needed”.
