Following a meeting between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, the US claims it is considering “strong economic and other measures” in response to fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
President Biden expressed concern over Russian force build-ups near the Ukrainian border in a video chat, and called for a de-escalation of hostilities. Russia has stated that it will not attack.
President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of provocation and demanded guarantees against Nato’s eastward expansion and the placement of weaponry near Russia.
- Blinken urges Russia to ‘de-escalate’ on border as clashes continue in eastern Ukraine
- Russia cranks up its anti-Ukraine rhetoric as the West braces for an invasion.
Near Ukraine’s borders, more than 90,000 Russian troops are believed to be stationed. The movement has strained Russia-US relations, which were already strained.
Following the call on Tuesday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration was preparing clear, firm answers in the coming weeks if they were needed.
The measures included economic sanctions and other actions such as additional troop deployments to Nato allies in the region and defence equipment for Ukraine.
Mr Sullivan refused to be drawn on what the economic measures might be. But he said Nord Stream 2, a new gas pipeline from Russia 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 told journalists. 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.
“Things we did not do in 2014 we are prepared to do now,” Mr Sullivan added, referring to Western responses to Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
He also said there was “a lot of give and take” in the call and “no finger-wagging” but that President Biden was “crystal clear where the United States stands on all of these issues”.
Video footage of the opening moments showed friendly greetings between the US and Russian leaders, before the talks continued behind closed doors.
The call was held on a secure video link set up under previous administrations but never used before. President Putin spoke from his residence in the southern resort of Sochi and President Biden from the White House.