Biden talks sanctions, Putin warns of rupture over Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin exchanged warnings during phone call over rising Ukraine tensions.
Biden warned of “heavy price” and said that the U.S. could impose severe economic sanctions against Russia if it takes further military action against Ukraine.
Putin responded that such a move by U.S. could lead to a complete rupture of ties. Further U.S. sanctions “would be a colossal mistake that would entail grave consequences,” Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said.
Russia has alarmed the US and its European allies by massing 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine over the last months.
During the phone call, Russian president accused the United States and NATO nations of placing offensive weapons near Russia’s borders. Russia has made clear it wants a written commitment that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO alliance and also demanded that NATO would give up any military activity in Eastern Europe and Ukraine.
During the second conversation this month, the two leaders spoke frankly for nearly an hour. Biden “made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.
President Biden urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine. A senior administration official said that Biden had laid out “two paths”: one of diplomacy and deescalation, the other of deterrence “including serious costs and consequences” such as economic sanctions, strengthening Nato’s force posture and military assistance to Ukraine.
