By Andrea Shalal, Steve Holland and Andrew Osborn
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW – U.S. President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday the West is concerned Russia will invade Ukraine and warned of “strong economic and other measures” as punishment should Moscow start a military conflict, the White House said.
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.
The Kremlin, which said before Tuesday’s meeting that it did not expect any breakthroughs, has denied harboring any intention to attack Ukraine and has said its troop posture is defensive.
Biden voiced the “deep concerns of the United States and our European allies about Russia’s escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine,” the White House said, and “made clear that the U.S. and our allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation.”
