U.S. and Russian presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin had another phone conversation that lasted 50 minutes.
According to the White House, US President Joe Biden during his phone conversation with Vladimir Putin urged the Russian leader to de-escalate the situation around Ukraine. Biden also threatened Russia with consequences if it invades Ukraine. This was reported by the White House press service.
"Biden made it clear that the United States and its allies and partners will give a strong response if Russia invades Ukraine," the White House said in a statement.
Russian media reported that after the conversation ended, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov also shared details:
- Biden and Putin's talks were serious;
- Putin warned that Russia would seek the result of "security guarantees."
- Putin told Biden that Russia would defend itself as the U.S. would defend itself;
- Putin threatened to sever relations with the U.S. in case of new sanctions against Russia;
- the presidents of Russia and the U.S. have agreed to hold a conversation after the New Year.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Biden mentioned that Western countries would make large-scale economic, financial and military sanctions if escalation along the Ukrainian border continued.
"The president responded that if the West does decide to impose these unprecedented sanctions in one way or another, it could all lead to a complete rupture in relations between our countries and will cause serious damage to Russia's relations with the West in general," Ushakov stressed.
In turn, the White House said that Biden expressed his support for the diplomatic efforts, in particular, for the future negotiations between the US, Russia, NATO and OSCE on security in Europe. And stressed that substantial progress in these talks can be achieved only if the situation is de-escalated rather than exacerbated.
"President Biden once again stressed that substantial progress in these dialogues can only occur under conditions of de-escalation, not escalation," the statement stressed.
