Biden wraps two-hour call with Putin
By Morgan Chalfant - 12/07/21 12:47 PM EST
President Biden wrapped a two-hour video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday during which the U.S. president warned Moscow against invading Ukraine.
The White House said in a subsequent readout that Biden “voiced the deep concerns of the United States and our European Allies about Russia’s escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine and made clear that the U.S. and our Allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation.”
“President Biden reiterated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy,” the readout continued.
Biden held the call with Putin as a Russian troop buildup on the border with Ukraine has exacerbated fears about a potential Russian military invasion of its neighbor.
Biden and Putin connected over a secure video call just after 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to the White House, and the call concluded at 12:08 p.m.
The White House kept the meeting closed to reporters, but the Kremlin was quick to release photos and video of the meeting between the two leaders.
“Hello,” Biden said after Putin greeted him, according to a brief clip of the start of the meeting. “Good to see you again.”
more
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/584716-biden-wraps-two-hour-call-with-putin
