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Biden warns Putin against invading Ukraine
Journal Staff Report

WASHINGTON, Dec 30 - President Biden on Thursday again warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of painful economic consequences should Russian forces invade Ukraine, NPR reported.

But Biden also made clear that the United States sees a diplomatic path forward to address some of Russia's concerns about the expansion of the Western-backed NATO in the region.

The details of Thursday's call were relayed by a senior Biden administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

It was the second time the two leaders spoke this month, as Russia has assembled as many as 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, prompting fears of an invasion.

Another administration official has described the situation as a "moment of crisis." U.S. officials say they have not seen any significant signs of de-escalation.

"President Biden urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement after the call. "He made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine."

The 50-minute call was "serious and substantive," according to the administration official who briefed reporters Thursday.

The official said the purpose of the call, which Putin requested, was primarily to set the "tone and tenor" for planned security talks between U.S. and Russian officials on Jan. 10 in Geneva.

Biden laid out two paths forward, the official said: "One is a path of diplomacy, leading toward a de-escalation of the situation. The other path is more focused on deterrence, including serious costs and consequences should Russia choose to proceed with a further invasion of Ukraine."

But both leaders acknowledged areas where "meaningful progress" could be made, as well as some areas "where agreements may be impossible," the official said.

Putin aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks as good and frank, but said that Putin warned Biden that his promise of punishing sanctions could lead to a complete breakdown in U.S.-Russian relations that would in the future be seen as a big mistake.

Putin wants written assurances that Ukraine will not be admitted into NATO. He also wants Western troops and arms out of other former Soviet states in Eastern Europe.

The U.S. and its allies have refused any such guarantees, but White House officials said they were open to hearing Russia's concerns about NATO.

In addition to economic sanctions, Biden told Putin in their last call, on Dec. 7, that if Russia were to invade Ukraine, the U.S. would provide additional defensive equipment and supplies to the Ukraine — and potentially deploy U.S troops to other nearby Eastern European countries.

U.S. and Russian leaders will lay out their concerns during the Jan. 10 talks. Moscow is expected to continue the conversation with NATO officials two days later and then after, on Jan. 13, meet separately with the members of the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe, of which Ukraine is a member. (om/ez)




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