U.S. President Joe Biden holds virtual talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin amid Western fears that Moscow plans to attack Ukraine, during a secure video call from the Situation Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 7, 2021. /The White House/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
U.S. President Joe Biden held a secure video call with Russia's President Vladimir Putin from the White House in Washington on Tuesday, June 19, 2023. The call lasted for about two hours and covered a range of issues, including the situation in Ukraine, the ongoing dialogue on strategic stability, and ransomware.
Biden began the call by voicing the deep concerns of the United States and its European allies about Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's borders. He made clear that the United States and its allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of a military escalation. Biden also reiterated his support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Putin responded by accusing the United States of "hegemonic ambitions" and of trying to encircle Russia. He also claimed that Russia's military buildup was a defensive measure in response to NATO's expansion.
The two presidents also discussed the ongoing dialogue on strategic stability. This dialogue is aimed at reducing the risk of nuclear war between the United States and Russia. Biden and Putin agreed to continue the dialogue and to work together to address other arms control issues.
Finally, the two presidents discussed ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's computer files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. Biden and Putin agreed to work together to combat ransomware and to hold perpetrators accountable.
The call ended without any major breakthroughs, but it did serve to open a line of communication between the two presidents. It is hoped that this communication will help to de-escalate tensions and to prevent a military conflict in Ukraine.
In addition to the above, here are some other key takeaways from the call:
The call was the first direct contact between Biden and Putin since Biden took office in January 2021. It was a significant development, as it showed that the two leaders are willing to engage with each other despite the deep differences between their countries.
The call was also a test of Biden's new approach to diplomacy with Russia. Biden has said that he is willing to meet with Putin, but only if the meeting is productive and leads to concrete results. The call on Tuesday was a first step in this process.
It remains to be seen whether the call will lead to a breakthrough in the Ukraine crisis. However, it is a positive sign that the two presidents are willing to talk to each other. This is essential if the two countries are to avoid a direct military conflict.
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