After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made it clear that Russia can invade Ukraine at any time, Biden has accelerated the telephone conversation with Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously asked US President Joe Biden for a phone call, which should have taken place on Monday, writes Reuters.
– MILITARY EXERCISE: Officials from the Ukrainian military participate in an exercise near the city of Kharkiv in Ukraine, on February 10, 2022. Photo: Andrew Marienko / AP
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– It is believed that this may be one of the last opportunities to persuade Putin not to start scary things, says Jakub M. Godzimirski, researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy (Nupi) to TV 2.
He has worked with Russian foreign and security policy for over 20 years, and says that it is challenging to predict the outcome of today’s talks.
– There have been frightening signals in recent days, which may indicate that they are closer to a military operation, he says.
There have been a number of diplomatic talks since the two world leaders last spoke. The telephone conversation between Putin and Biden is expected to start on Saturday afternoon Norwegian time.
– What do these talks mean for Putin?
– Putin would rather talk to Biden. He believes that Europe is part of the discussion, but that they are not really independent. He wants to talk to the manager of the store, the Nupi researcher explains and adds:
– Putin believes that it is the United States that can pressure NATO, and that if they manage to reach a solution with the United States, then Europe will follow.
– TO TALK: Russian President Vladimir Putin met US President Joe Biden on June 16, 2021 in Switzerland. They have not met physically since Russia escalated the conflict along the border with Ukraine. Photo: Patrick Semansky / AP
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Biden has long believed that a one-on-one conversation with Putin could be the best chance for a solution, writes Reuters. None of the conversations they have had so far have led to any breakthroughs.
Putin wants NATO to guarantee that Ukraine will not have the opportunity to become a member of the defense alliance. NATO has repeatedly rejected this demand. Putin wants Biden’s support for this demand.
– IN PROGRESS: Russia and Belarus are training together in a major military exercise. The exercise has been going on for several days. Here they train in the Grodno region of Belarus. Photo: Leonid Scheglov / BelTA / Reuters
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The United States views several of Russia’s demands as completely irrelevant. Biden has also announced strong economic sanctions against Moscow, if Russia invades Ukraine, reports AP.
– Must be prepared for everything
“Putin will probably repeat the desire to refuse NATO enlargement to the east, but we do not know what is actually in Vladimir Putin’s head,” Godzimirski said.
– PREPARED: Jakub M. Godzimirski, researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy, believes that we must now be prepared for anything to happen. Photo: Nupi
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The Nupi researcher explains that it is positive that the two leaders should talk to each other.
– All meetings are important, they can help to avoid a terrible war, but we must be prepared for everything.
More than 100,000 Russian troops have been deployed to Ukraine’s borders, and several Western countries continue to send military personnel and materiel to NATO’s eastern flank. On Friday, the United States announced that it would send another 3,000 troops to Poland in the next few days.
Ukraine asks its citizens to remain calm
Australia, New Zealand and Germany are the latest in a series of countries, which are now urging their citizens to leave Ukraine. On Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs changed Norway travel advice to Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, and asked all Norwegians to get out of Ukraine.
– EXERCISE: Russia has a large joint military exercise with Belarus. Photo taken on February 10, 2022 and taken by the Russian state press. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service
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At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine asks its citizens to remain calm and not panic.
– At the moment, it is crucial to remain calm, ensure internal gathering and avoid destabilizing actions, they write in the statement.
Before the conversation with Biden, Putin will talk to French President Emmanuel Macron.
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