Currency at the height of the Western-Russian conflict… We will continue to keep in touch
Biden: ‘We will respond firmly in case of invasion’ Putin also talked to the French president
Kremlin: “Efficient and balanced dialogue…discussing Russia’s security guarantees”
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(Washington, Istanbul = Yonhap News) Correspondent Ryu Ji-bok and Kim Seung-wook = US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked on the phone for 62 minutes on the 12th (local time) to discuss the Ukraine situation, but it is known that no special breakthrough has been made.
The call was made at a time when the conflict between the two sides reached a climax as Russia and the West raised concerns regarding an invasion of Ukraine as Russia increased its military force on the border with Ukraine.
According to the White House, President Biden has made it clear that if Russia invades Ukraine, the United States, together with its allies and partners, will respond decisively and force Russia to pay a swift and serious price.
President Biden reiterated that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would cause widespread suffering and lower Russia’s status.
“The United States is prepared to resolve diplomatic issues with Russia through sufficient coordination with its allies,” he said. “We are equally prepared for other scenarios.”
The U.S. explained that the call was made at the request of President Putin. Russia initially hoped for a call on the 14th, but it is reported that the United States has proposed to move it up to that date.
It seems that no special progress has been made in the resolution of the Ukraine crisis during the call.
A U.S. official said at a press briefing that he had covered every topic the U.S. had publicly raised regarding the situation in Ukraine, but that it had not made “fundamental changes” to the situation that had developed over the past few weeks, Archyde.com reported.
The two leaders also agreed to keep relevant teams from the two countries in contact regarding the situation in Ukraine over the next several days, the official said.
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Russia evaluated the summit call on the same day, saying, “It took place amid the height of hysteria in the United States, but the content of the conversation was balanced and efficient.”
“The two leaders agreed to continue contact on all matters discussed during the call,” said Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin’s foreign affairs adviser.
“President Biden communicated to Putin his thoughts on Russia’s security guarantees, but unfortunately he did not take into account Russia’s main concerns,” Ushakov said.
“We have agreed to carefully consider President Biden’s views on Russian security,” he added.
Russia claimed that the call was moved two days earlier because of ‘American hysteria’.
“Today’s dialogue was originally scheduled for Monday (14th), but has been postponed due to US hysteria that Russia will invade Ukraine,” Ushakov said.
Referring to US media reports specific to the date of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, “I don’t understand why the US is giving the media misinformation regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
Earlier, US political media outlet Politico reported that President Biden had suggested the start date for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to be the 16th in a videoconference with European leaders on the 11th.
President Biden and Putin called twice in December last year to resolve the Ukraine crisis, but both sides maintained their position and might not find a solution.
Earlier, Putin spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron for regarding 100 minutes on the same day and expressed his hope to continue discussing the security situation and stability in Europe, AFP news agency reported.
Macron has told Putin that sincere dialogue is incompatible with escalating tensions and that the West will respond decisively if Russia invades Ukraine.
In the meantime, Russia has repeatedly stated that it does not intend to invade Ukraine, but the United States has warned that Russia is ready to attack at any time and will face massive sanctions in case of an invasion.
Since then, the West, including the United States, and Russia have sought a solution through diplomatic contacts, but have not yet come up with a breakthrough in relieving tension.
jbryoo@yna.co.kr
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