Joe Biden threatened Vladimir Putin that the US response to any Russian invasion of Ukraine would be harsh, while the Russian president warned his US counterpart that imposing unprecedented new sanctions on the US and its allies would be a “colossal” colossus. which could cause a rupture in their relationship.
Nevertheless, the Russian side announced that Mr. Putin is “satisfied” after the 50-minute “serious” discussion with Mr. Biden.
Both leaders praised the diplomacy, which they believe could offer a way out of the crisis.
The White House resident, however, insisted that any diplomatic progress goes through the “de-escalation” in Ukraine.
Joe Biden spoke with his Russian counterpart – for the second time in less than a month – from Wilmington, his stronghold in Delaware, where he spends the holidays.
Washington will react “decisively” if there is a “further invasion” of Russia in Ukraine, he told his Russian counterpart, without elaborating, according to a press release issued by US presidential spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
For its part, the Kremlin demanded “results” and that its demands for security “guarantees” be met, two conditions it has proposed that redefine the balance and security architecture in Europe, which will be considered at the forthcoming Russia-US talks on the 10th. January in Geneva.
For Moscow, Russia’s security goes beyond the ban on NATO enlargement to the east, which it perceives as an existential threat, and the end of Western military activities near the Russian border.
“Full US support”
Meeting these demands is the only way to prevent escalation of tensions, in Moscow’s view, which sees in particular US, NATO and EU support for Ukraine as a direct threat to its security and interests.
The United States, which has generally been accused of handling international affairs without worrying too much about how its allies view them, insists there will be close coordination with Europeans and Ukrainians on the issue.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was scheduled to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, along with his French, German and British counterparts.
The Ukrainian head of state said he had received assurances of “full US support” to “deal” with the “Russian attack”.
No concessions
Westerners have so far ruled out a military response to a possible Russian invasion. However, the Russian president also insisted that imposing massive sanctions on Moscow because of the crisis in Ukraine would be a “colossal mistake,” the Kremlin said.
Russia and its elite are already facing significant financial retaliation for the crisis in Ukraine and repression within the country, but none of these measures have made the Kremlin change course.
Moscow denies threatening Ukraine, even though it annexed part of its territory to the Crimean peninsula in 2014, and says it must defend itself against the hostility of Westerners, who support Kiev in its war with pro-Russian separatists in the east. Department.
The latter, despite repeated Russian denials, are generally considered in the West to be carrying out Kremlin orders.
In a clear indication that the January 10 talks in Geneva on Ukraine and strategic stability will be bitter and harsh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ruled out any “concessions.”
The United States, for its part, has called some of Russia’s claims “unacceptable.”
The talks, which will be attended by US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian counterpart Sergei Ryabkov, will be followed by a NATO-Russia Security Council meeting on January 12 and a Security Council meeting on January 13. and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
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