Biden-Putin Hold 2-Hour Video Summit
Biden Warns of Economic Sanctions if Russia Invades Ukraine
National Security Advisor: "Emergency Plans in Place for All Scenarios"
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden warned in a video conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin that if Russia escalates threats against Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies will respond with strong economic sanctions. The White House confirmed the U.S. commitment to defend Taiwan, stating that the U.S. can respond even if Russia and China attack Ukraine and Taiwan simultaneously.
According to the White House on the 7th (local time), the two leaders held a conversation for about two hours from 10:07 a.m. to 12:08 p.m.
President Biden expressed deep concern from the U.S. and European allies over Russia's military buildup threatening Ukraine and reiterated support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He urged Russia to return to diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
The White House stated that the two leaders instructed follow-up measures and explained that the U.S. will work closely with allies and partners to carry them out.
Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, said at a briefing that President Biden warned President Putin that unlike Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea, the U.S. is now prepared, signaling readiness for emergencies such as a Russian invasion of Ukraine. He defined the U.S. goal as preventing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Advisor Sullivan said that if Russia invades Ukraine, the U.S. will respond by reinforcing U.S. troops in neighboring allied countries. He also said, "I do not believe President Putin has decided to invade Ukraine."
When asked whether the U.S. could respond in an emergency where Russia invades Ukraine and China invades Taiwan simultaneously, Advisor Sullivan asserted, "The U.S. will take all actions necessary to defend Taiwan. We have contingency plans."
The New York Times (NYT) pointed out that despite the Biden administration's tough stance, there is a lack of measures to prevent Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is difficult for the U.S. to deploy troops, and economic sanctions are expected to cause limited damage to President Putin.
Meanwhile, President Biden spoke with European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the afternoon to discuss the conversation with President Putin and shared the results with U.S. congressional leaders.
According to the White House, the leaders confirmed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and agreed that Russia should reduce the troops it has increased near Ukraine and seek a diplomatic solution. The leaders also agreed on the need for close coordination at the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) levels.
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