Biden warns Putin of 'strong measures' amid Ukraine invasion fears
8-12-2021, 08:28

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

The US says it is preparing "robust responses" over fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, after President Biden's rare talks with Vladimir Putin.

In a video link, Mr Biden voiced deep concerns over Russian troop build-ups and threatened "strong economic and other measures", Washington said.

Russia says it will not attack Ukraine.

Mr Putin accused Kyiv of provocation, and sought guarantees against eastward Nato expansion and deployment of offensive weapons close to Russia.

The talks began at 10:07 US Eastern time (15:07 GMT; 18:07 Moscow time), the White House said.

They were held on a secure video link set up under previous administrations but never used before, Russian news agency Tass said.

Video footage of the opening moments showed friendly greetings between the US and Russian leaders. The talks then continued behind closed doors, lasting about two hours.

Mr Putin held the talks from his residence in the southern resort of Sochi, according to Tass.

After Tuesday's video call, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told journalists Washington was preparing specific robust responses in the weeks ahead if they were required.

"Things we did not do in 2014 we are prepared to do now," he said, referring to Western responses to Russia's annexation of Crimea.

"There was a lot of give and take, there was no finger-wagging, but the president was crystal clear where the United States stands on all of these issues," he added.

The measures included economic sanctions and other actions such as additional troop deployments to Nato allies in the region and defence materiel for Ukraine.

He refused to be drawn on what the economic measures might be, saying the US would prefer to communicate them directly to the Russians.

But he said that Nord Stream 2, a new pipeline to Germany which is not yet in operation, provided "leverage" for the US and its allies.

"If Vladimir Putin wants to see gas flow through that pipeline, he may not want to take the risk of invading Ukraine," he said.

Earlier reports said US officials had reached agreement with Germany to shut down the pipeline in the event of an invasion.

Other possible measures include restrictions on Russia's banks converting roubles into foreign currencies, or even disconnecting Russia from the Swift global financial payment system, reports say.

 

BBC

Comments: 901
#421   Darlene
      
28 October 2025 03:41
#420   Audrea
      
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading
it, you could be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back later in life.
I want to encourage one to continue your great job, have a
nice morning!

My web site: 팔팔정 구구정
28 October 2025 03:36
#419   Jenny
      
Here is my webpage ... Molchanovonews.Ru
27 October 2025 22:39
#418   Aurelio
      
Feel free to visit my web site Spadegaming High Rtp Slots You Can Play Now
27 October 2025 04:58
#417   Bebe
      
26 October 2025 22:37
#416   Irma
      
Also visit my blog post :: poker High stakes

Also visit my web page :: Ulysses
26 October 2025 15:10
#415   Vanessa
      
25 October 2025 21:37
#414   Meri
      
Here is my homepage: everygame poker review (Muriel)
24 October 2025 23:30
#413   Franklyn
      
Feel free to visit my webpage :: Classihub.In
24 October 2025 17:13
#412   Juanita
      
my webpage ... Highstake Sweeps
24 October 2025 15:32
#411   Nathan
      
24 October 2025 07:33
#410   Bernadette
      
Also visit my site High
stake poker
24 October 2025 07:26
#409   Kit
      
24 October 2025 06:33
#408   Rashad
      
my web-site - poker Stake
24 October 2025 04:48
#407   Janelle
      
23 October 2025 06:31
#406   Harriet
      
Feel free to surf to my site :: highstakesweeps
23 October 2025 01:47
#405   Lydia
      
22 October 2025 18:40
#404   Kelvin
      
Feel free to surf to my web site; http://https:/olv.e.l.u.pc@haedongacademy.org/
22 October 2025 18:03
#403   Guy
      
Also visit my web blog; .o.R.t.H@www.gnu-darwin.org
22 October 2025 16:21
#402   Shirley
      
Feel free to surf to my site high stakes
22 October 2025 15:47
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *


Back1 ... 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ... 46Next