Biden asks Putin to reduce tensions with Ukraine 5:17
(CNN) -
US President Joe Biden told Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday that the United States and its allies "will respond decisively if Russia invades more Ukraine," according to a reading of a call between the two. leaders provided by the White House.
The two spoke just days after Biden urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease a relentless military crisis on the border with Ukraine and before Russian and American officials meet in person in Geneva later this month.
Zelensky said in a tweet Sunday night that the call with Biden underscored "the special nature of our relationships."
He added that "the joint actions of Ukraine, the United States and their partners to maintain peace in Europe, prevent further escalation, reforms and de-oligarchy were discussed."
Russia continues to accumulate troops near the border with Ukraine despite Biden urging Putin to de-escalate tensions
Ukraine, Zelensky added, "appreciates the unwavering support."
Strong military presence on the border with Ukraine
Up to 100,000 Russian soldiers have remained assembled on the border with Ukraine, despite warnings from Biden and European leaders about the dire consequences if Putin goes ahead with an invasion.
advertising
And US intelligence results have estimated that Russia could begin a military offensive in Ukraine "as early as early 2022."
Biden said on Friday that he made clear in his call with Putin that there will be a "high price to pay" if Russia invades Ukraine and threatened heavy economic sanctions.
Putin had told Biden that introducing a new round of sanctions against Russia would amount to a "colossal mistake" that could lead to a complete breakdown of relations between the two countries, said a Kremlin aide.
Russia has demanded security guarantees from the United States and NATO, including a binding promise that NATO will not expand further east and will not allow Ukraine to join the military alliance.
Biden, however, has pointed out that the United States will not make concessions either in NATO or in Ukraine's future.
Russia and the United States "tentatively" agree to start talks on security, amid the accumulation of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine
"We made it clear to President Putin that if he makes more moves, enters Ukraine, we will have severe sanctions. We will increase our presence in Europe with our NATO allies, and it will be a very high price to pay," the president said after a New Years Eve lunch in Wilmington, Delaware.
Biden said Putin agreed to three upcoming conferences in Europe, including the diplomatic talks between the United States and Russia led by US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on January 10 in Geneva and the talks between Russia and NATO on January 12.
CNN's Betsy Klein contributed to this report.
Joe Biden Ukraine Vladimir Putin
