Biden and Putin Talks Last Two Hours. Ukraine Is the Main Topic

Biden warned Putin of “decisive economic and other measures” in the event of military escalation.

On December 7, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks via video link. Here are the main points. 

The talks lasted about two hours. Biden was at the White House in Washington, while Putin was at his residence in Sochi. A closed video line, which had never been used before, was used for communication between the two presidents. Journalists did not attend the talks. 

The conversation began around 17:00 Kyiv time. According to statements from both sides, its main topic was supposed to be Ukraine. 

The White House said that Joe Biden warned Putin of “decisive economic and other measures” in the event of military escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. 

The US president expressed concern over the buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine’s borders, and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. Putin and Biden also discussed bilateral relations, cybersecurity issues and the situation on the international stage, in particular in Iran. 

“President Biden expressed deep concern on the part of the United States and our European allies over Russia’s buildup of forces around Ukraine, and made clear that the United States and allies will respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation. President Biden reiterated support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy,” the White House said. 

It is noted that the presidents authorized their teams to continue engagement following the conversation, and the US will do so in close coordination with allies and partners. 

In a Kremlin press release, it is stated that the Russian president illustrated with specific examples Kyiv’s destructive course aimed at “the complete dismantling of the Minsk agreements and understandings” reached in the “Normandy format.” It is noted that Putin expressed serious concern over Kyiv’s provocative actions against Donbas. 

“Joe Biden, for his part, emphasized the allegedly ‘threatening’ nature of Russian troop movements near Ukraine’s borders and outlined the sanctions measures that the US and its allies would be ready to apply in the event of further escalation. Vladimir Putin responded by stressing that responsibility should not be shifted onto Russia, since it is NATO that is making dangerous attempts to take over Ukrainian territory and is building up military potential at our borders. Therefore, Russia is seriously interested in obtaining reliable, legally binding guarantees that exclude NATO expansion to the east and the deployment of offensive strike weapons systems in states bordering Russia,” the message said. 

Recall that the talks took place against the backdrop of statements that Russia plans a military invasion of Ukraine. American and European media reported, citing sources, that the invasion could occur in early 2022 and could involve at least 100,000 Russian troops. 

Russia denies this. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that “the deployment of Russian armed forces on Russian territory is the lawful right of a sovereign state.” 

Before the talks with Putin, Biden said that measures were being developed to deter Russia from invading. The media reported that the US and EU are coordinating a “damn aggressive” package of economic sanctions against Russia, but no decision has yet been made on when and under what conditions it may be imposed. 

Shortly before the talks, Vladimir Putin said Russia had managed to create “a certain tension” in the West. According to him, it should be maintained for as long as possible.

The Russian president said the West does not take warnings about “red lines” that should not be crossed seriously enough, and is aggravating the situation with arms supplies to Kyiv and “provocative military maneuvers” near Russian borders. Biden replied that he does not accept anyone’s “red lines.” 

Since Biden became US president, they have spoken with Putin five times. In addition to the current video talks, the presidents held three phone calls and one in-person meeting, which took place in June 2021 in Switzerland, after the West noticed a concentration of Russian troops near Ukraine’s borders.