Because of the threat of war in Europe, contact between Russia and the US President has intensified.
(Photo: imago images/ZUMA Wire)
Washington US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin spent an hour and two minutes on the phone. Biden had reaffirmed the previous position of the USA, as the White House announced after the conversation on Saturday. “Should Russia continue to invade Ukraine, the United States, along with our allies and partners, will respond decisively, at great cost to Russia.” Biden stressed that an invasion of Ukraine “will result in human suffering ‘ Russia’s reputation in the world would also suffer as a result.
The way to diplomatic talks is still open. But the US, in consultation with its allies, is “equally prepared for other scenarios,” the US President clarified.
“There has been no significant change in the dynamics that we have seen over the past few days,” a government official said after the call. “But we believe we have presented ideas that reflect our interests and those of our allies.”
However, it is still unclear whether Russia is ready to take a diplomatic route. However, he referred to the “obvious steps that Russia would have taken in full view”. “We must give Russia every opportunity to prevent an action that we believe could end disastrously. There is too much at stake.” The two heads of state want to remain in contact in the coming days. Russia could still decide to take a military step. “It is indeed a concrete option.”
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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made a similar statement in conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Saturday. Blinken “made it clear that a diplomatic way out of the crisis remains an option,” said a statement from Washington. “However, that would require Moscow to de-escalate” and engage in constructive discussions. If Russia continues to choose the “path of aggression,” there will be a “resolute, massive, and united transatlantic response,” Blinken said. Previously, Putin had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron for almost two hours.
The US Department of Defense announced that it would temporarily withdraw 160 military trainers from Ukraine who were deployed near the Polish border – another signal of Washington’s concern.
On Friday, the US government warned of an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine. “Russia could very quickly decide to launch major military action against Ukraine,” Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, said at the White House on Friday night.
Sullivan urged US citizens to leave Ukraine within the next 48 hours. “Now is the time to go,” he said. “We are in a time window in which an invasion could begin at any time.” Germany and other countries are also in the process of withdrawing personnel from the country.
With agency material
>>> All current developments on the Ukraine crisis can be found in our news blog.
>> Read here: Federal government calls on German citizens to leave Ukraine