According to the White House’s briefing, Biden emphasized that “while the United States remains ready to engage in diplomacy in full coordination with its allies and partners,” they are ready for any scenario.
Biden has also reiterated that the attack on Ukraine will lead to great human suffering and weaken Russia’s international position.
The two presidents’ talks lasted a little over an hour, but they do not seem to have made any significant progress.
A US official has acknowledged that the talks have not brought about a fundamental change in the current situation and that it is not clear whether Russia will favor diplomacy or military action.
The official said, however, that Washington had made proposals to Moscow that would “increase European security as well as partially address Russia’s concerns,” while respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, after the two presidents’ phone calls, the Kremlin has condemned the “hysteria” fueled by the United States over Ukraine’s borders.
“Hysteria has reached its peak,” said Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser.
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