Biden warns Putin of sanctions, aid for Ukraine military if Russia invades
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW, (Reuters) - President Joe Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday that the West would impose "strong economic and other measures" on Russia if it invades Ukraine, while Putin demanded guarantees that NATO would not expand farther eastward.
The two leaders held two hours of virtual talks on Ukraine and other disputes in a video call about U.S.Russian relations, which have sunk to their lowest point since the end of the Cold War more than three decades ago, as Russia masses tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine's border.
Putin responded to the warning with a demand for reliable, legally binding guarantees against NATO expansion eastward and complained about NATO attempts to "develop" Ukrainian territory," the Kremlin said.
No breakthroughs in the standoff were reported but both sides agreed to continue communications, a development that could lower global tensions.
The Kremlin has denied harbouring any intention to attack Ukraine and has said a troop buildup on its southern border is defensive, but neighboring nations are sounding alarms.
Biden warned Putin he could face stiff economic sanctions, the disruption of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Europe, and that the United States and European allies would provide additional defensive capabilities to Ukraine.
The president "made clear that the U.S. and our Allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation,” the White House said in a statement.
"Things we did not do in 2014 we are prepared to do now," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters after the call, referring to the reaction to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
In case of an attack, the United States would be looking to respond positively if Baltic allies ask for additional U.S. "capabilities" or "deployments," he said.
The United States could also target Russia's biggest banks and Moscow's ability to convert roubles into dollars and other currencies, one official said.
In 2014, Washington focused mainly on defensive, non-lethal aid following Russia’s annexation of Crimea out of fear it would escalate the crisis.
Biden was “direct and straightforward” with Putin, Sullivan said. "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," Sullivan said.
The Kremlin said Putin told Biden it was wrong to put all the responsibility on Russia's shoulders for current tensions.
Moscow has voiced rising irritation over Western military aid to Ukraine, a fellow former Soviet republic that has tilted toward the West since a popular revolt toppled a pro-Russian president in 2014, and what Russia calls creeping NATO expansion.