Biden will Hold a Call with Putin today to discuss diplomatic engagements. The talks come as the US and NATO allies noticed that Russia deployed 70,000 troops along the Ukraine border.
Joe Biden, the President of the United States, is set to hold diplomatic talks today with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, to step up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe. Both leaders will seek a diplomatic solution to escalate tension along the Russian border with Ukraine. On Wednesday, the U.S. official told reporters that they were ready for a diplomatic path forward. However, the U.S. is also prepared to respond if Russia invades Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden will Hold a Call with Russian President Vladimir Putin today to discuss diplomatic engagements. The talks come as the United States and NATO allies noticed that Russia deployed around 70,000 troops along the Ukraine border. pic.twitter.com/6AEgRIcnaT
Russian leader requested Biden for a phone call, and it comes ahead of highly awaited high-level dialogs in Geneva on 10th January. The President is not likely to participate in those dialogs. It marks the second call in December between the two leaders. According to intelligence estimations from satellite images, they also talked at the start of the month about what was then almost seventy thousand troops gathered on the Russia-Ukraine border.
Secretary of State Call with the Ukrainian President
However, American intelligence analysts estimate that the Russian President plans to deploy as many as 175000 soldiers. On the other hand, the Biden administration assured Ukraine of its support and provided tens of millions of dollars in security assistance. Yesterday, Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, spoke to Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of Ukraine. Moreover, he reiterated the unwavering American support for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine in the face of Russian military buildup at the Ukraine border.
The White House frequently said that Russia would face significant consequences if it attacked Ukraine. Zelenskiy tweeted that on a phone call conversation with Blinken, the Secretary of the State assured him of full U.S. support to counter Russian aggression. Further, he added that both countries agreed to continue consultations to settle positions and coordinate ambassadorial efforts to achieve peace in the region. Ukrainian President used flag emojis in his tweet to represent both countries.
I had a phone conversation with @SecBlinken. We agreed to continue consultations to reconcile positions and coordinate diplomatic efforts to achieve peace. I was assured of full 🇺🇸 support for 🇺🇦 in countering Russian aggression.
The U.S. president plans to preview the upcoming bilateral dialogs between the United States and Russia set to take place on 10th January. Both leaders will also discuss the Russia-NATO and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) meetings scheduled for 12th and 13th January. Close consultation with American allies has been a priority for the government from the get-go, and the U.S. President will emphasize that to the Russian President as well.
President Biden and President Putin Seeks Diplomatic Path on Phone Call Source: Web
The U.S. Threatened Russia with Harsh Economic Sanctions if it Invaded Ukraine
A senior U.S. official told reporters Wednesday that America and its allies committed to effective diplomacy with Russia. However, the U.S. also planned to slap Russia with harsh coordinated sanctions if it advances with a further invasion of Ukraine. Blinken also talked with the foreign ministers of Germany, the United Kingdom, and France on coordination to combat any further Russian aggression against Ukraine, the U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.
The foreign ministers of these countries avowed the accord among partners and allies to impose severe sanctions on Russian for such moves. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, confirmed the call set for today afternoon. Further, he added that it would occur in the evening according to the Russian time. Yesterday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin called leaders of the countries in key neighbors Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.
If Russia invades Ukraine, the United States also planned to bolster NATO’s force posture in Eastern Europe. Moreover, the official noted that the United States still does not see any effort by Russia to lower tensions. Earlier this month’s virtual meeting with Putin, Biden warned that aggression would result in severe consequences, such as harsh economic sanctions and American military reinforcement in the eastern flank of NATO.
In response, Putin warned the United States and NATO that it would force them to act if someone crossed its redlines. Further, he specifies that if NATO grows its military capabilities into Ukraine and eastward. A few days ago, Putin demanded legally binding security guarantees from the U.S. and its allies, some of which American officials already called nonstarters without specifying what exactly if off the table.
