US President Joe Biden threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin to impose new economic sanctions and other measures if Russia invades Ukraine. It was happening during a virtual summit with Putin.
- The talks were held amid growing tension between the two countries over the expansion of NATO in Eastern Europe and Russia’s deployment of tens of thousands of troops along the border of Ukraine.
- Biden told Putin that in addition to sanctions, the US would provide additional defense materials to Ukraine and build up military capabilities in nearby countries that also border Russia. The two leaders discussed several other issues, including nuclear security, ransomware, and Iran.
- The video call was lasting two hours. Biden called for” de-escalation” and reiterated US support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, the White House said in a statement.
- Biden told Putin directly that if Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States and our European allies would respond with strong economic measures,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. “We would provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainians above and beyond that which we are already providing, and we would fortify our NATO allies on the eastern flank with additional capabilities in response to such an escalation.”
- After Putin moved more than 90,000 troops to the Ukrainian border in recent weeks, administration officials have said that they believe Russia could engage in military action but that they are unclear whether a decision has been made.
- However, Russia has claimed that the troops are marching towards the border as a defensive measure, and not to attack Ukraine. Putin said at a news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis,
“Russia has a peaceful foreign policy but has the right to defend its security. We cannot but be concerned about the prospect of Ukraine’s possible admission to NATO because this will undoubtedly be followed by the deployment of appropriate military contingents, bases, and weapons that threaten us.”
