Washington remains in favor of a diplomatic settlement of the conflict with Russia
Telephone conversation between the US and Russian presidents — Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin — against the backdrop of the threat of Russian troops invading Ukraine. However, the American side has not been able to figure out which path Russia will choose. but it was not possible to achieve fundamental changes in dynamics.
«It remains unclear whether Russia is interested in achieving its goals through diplomacy, rather than the use of force», — he said.
At the same time, according to the official, Washington remains in favor of a diplomatic settlement of the conflict with Russia, but is always ready for other developments.
«So, as always, we are taking two paths: diplomacy, including maintaining close ties with our partners and allies, meanwhile we will intensify our efforts to contain Russia and impose costs on her if she still decides to start military actions», — said a White House spokesman.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that the telephone conversation between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden was fairly balanced.
« over an hour. But if we return to the conversation between the Russian Federation and the United States, we can state that the nature of the conversation was still quite balanced and businesslike», — said Ushakov.
Biden, he said, referred to the experience of the «cold war», when representatives of the US and the USSR «did everything possible to avoid a catastrophe, a serious conflict».
& #171;He said that our two great powers are still competitors, but must do everything to maintain stability and security throughout the world. He also stressed that it is necessary to do everything possible to avoid the worst scenario in the context of the current situation around Ukraine», — Ushakov said.
According to him, Putin also went through the history of relations between the United States and NATO with Russia.
«Many of the steps announced in the telephone conversation are already, in general, are contained in the responses we received on January 26 from Washington and NATO Headquarters to the Russian proposals & # 187;, & # 8212; said an aide to the Russian president.
In addition, according to Ushakov, Biden during the conversation mentioned possible tough sanctions against the Russian Federation in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.