Biden and Zelensky agree on need for ‘diplomacy and deterrence’ during phone call
U.S. Pesident Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an hour-long call on Sunday that the U.S. would respond “swiftly and decisively” if Russia takes further steps toward invasion.
“President Biden reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Biden also made clear that the United States “would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine,” according to a White House readout of the call.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders.
Earlier, Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that the consequences of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine would be “swift and severe.”
U.S. and European allies are scrambling to defuse rapidly deteriorating situation, as Russia has amassed nearly 130,000 troops and equipment along Ukraine’s border.
More than a dozen countries, including the U.S., U.K, Germany, Israel and Japan, have urged their citizens to leave Ukraine. White House earlier asked Americans to leave the country within 48 hours.
