Reuters: US President Biden says he warned Putin about the cost of invading Ukraine
Joe Biden. Photo: Chris Kleponis / Globallookpress.com
US President Joe Biden said that he had warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about the inadmissibility of invading Ukraine and the high price that Russia could pay for it. His words are quoted by Reuters.
I made it clear to President Putin that if he takes any further steps, he will go to Ukraine, there will be serious sanctions on our part, we and our NATO allies will increase our presence in Europe, and this will be a high price
Joe Biden, President of the United States
According to the American leader, the upcoming three conferences on security guarantees will bring results only if the Russian president reduces the escalation around Ukraine, which Biden, he said, made clear to his interlocutor.
The telephone conversation between Putin and Biden took place on Thursday, December 30. It began at 15.35 Washington time (23.35 Moscow time) and ended at 16.25 (00.25 Moscow time on Friday, December 31), the White House said. In total, the dialogue lasted 50 minutes. According to the aide to the President of Russia Yuri Ushakov, the parties “had a substantive discussion”, the main topics were touched upon.
The talks on guarantees will take place along three tracks, in Geneva on January 9-10 with the participation of Russia and the United States, in Vienna with the participation of Moscow and the OSCE, negotiations between Russia and NATO will start on January 13. The heads of state will follow their progress and give instructions to the negotiating teams.
Are Moscow threatened with sanctions?
Biden also answered a question from journalists whether Moscow faces sanctions if it continues to keep troops on the border with Ukraine. He noted that he does not intend to discuss the details of the negotiations publicly.
I am not going to conduct public negotiations here, but we made it clear that she (Russia) cannot – I emphasize, cannot – enter the territory of Ukraine
Joe Biden, President of the United States
In a telephone conversation with Putin, Biden did not give a specific assessment of Moscow's actions, which could entail sanctions. He warned his Russian counterpart that if the escalation on the Ukrainian border continues, the West will develop “large-scale and unprecedented sanctions” in the economic and military spheres. In response, the head of the Russian Federation promised to break off relations with the introduction of new measures.
Negotiations with Ukraine
A White House spokesman said that on January 2, 2022, the US President will speak by phone with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. RIA Novosti reports.
The parties plan to discuss the build-up of Russian military power on the Ukrainian border and will consider preparations for diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on his Twitter account that the conversation will take place on Sunday.
As we agreed with our strategic partner, the United States, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. I look forward to speaking with President Joe Biden again this Sunday to coordinate our steps towards peace in Ukraine and security in Europe.
Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident of Ukraine
On December 29, the Ukrainian leader held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The parties discussed efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Donbass, as well as upcoming diplomatic contacts with Russia.
In recent weeks, statements have been made in Kiev and in the West about the threat of a Russian attack on Ukraine. Moscow stresses that it has no aggressive intentions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the information about a possible invasion empty and groundless escalation of tension.
