US President Joe Biden and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin scheduled to speak on Saturday (12/2), to address the warnings of western countries about the potential war which can happen at any time in Ukraine.
According to the White House authorities, Putin had asked for a phone call between the two leaders to take place on Monday (14/2). However, Biden wants to do it sooner as the US sees increasingly clear signs of a possible Russian attack on Ukraine.
In a situation of tension between these countries, Australia and New Zealand became countries that also urged their citizens to leave Ukraine. The decision came after the US warned that a Russian invasion could occur at any time, including air strikes.
Russia itself has repeatedly denied the US version of the story that it has deployed 100,000 troops to the Ukrainian border. Russia argues that they are only protecting their country from aggression by NATO allies.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hopes Putin will choose diplomacy over attacks. But, if Russia insists on attacking, then the US can impose economic sanctions on the country.
“I continue to hope that he will not choose a new path of aggression and that he will choose the path of diplomacy and dialogue,” Blinken told reporters after a meeting with Pacific leaders in Fiji. Reuters.
“But if not, we are ready,” he added.
Putin seeks to strengthen his influence in post-Cold War Europe. He also asked Biden for assurances to block Ukraine’s entry into NATO and ensure Russia’s security from missiles placed near his country’s borders.
The United States considers many of those requests to be less of a priority, while encouraging Russia to discuss them together with Washington and its European allies.
However, Biden believes that one-on-one talks with Putin may be the best chance to shed some light on this interstate problem.
Two communications last December between Biden and Putin produced no meaningful solution to the problem.
Since then, the two leaders have not held talks again, and diplomats from both countries have been trying to find common ground.
Then, another mediation process at the four-way talks in Berlin between Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France on Thursday (10/2) did not produce any progress.
Furthermore, according to the Russian news agency TASS, Putin also plans to speak with French President Emmanuel Macron today, Saturday (12/2).
(lom / bir)
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