US President-elect Joe Biden told Vladimir Putin his intention to “respond to Russia's harmful actions.” He said this during telephone conversations with his Russian colleague on January 26, RIA Novosti reports.
White House spokesman Jen Psaki said that Biden intended to “make it clear that the United States will firmly defend its national interests.”
The first talks between Putin and Biden were initiated by the American leader.
Earlier, Biden said that he was ready to discuss all problematic issues with Russia and would not hesitate to raise them in his contacts with the Russian side. As the American leader stated, it is possible to cooperate with Russia on the issue of extending the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-3), since this, among other things, is in the interests of the United States.
The 46th President of the United States took office on January 20.
