By NPR
President Biden on Saturday warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that if Russia invaded Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies would “respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on Russia,” the White House said.
The two leaders spoke by phone for roughly an hour.
“President Biden reiterated that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine would produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia’s standing,” the White House said in a statement.
While the U.S. has remained prepared to engage with Russia diplomatically, the White House said, “We are equally prepared for other scenarios.”
A senior administration official described the call as “professional and substantive.”
“There was no fundamental change in the dynamic that has been unfolding now for several weeks,” the official said. “But we believe that we have put ideas on the table that would be in our and our allies interest to pursue that would enhance European security, and it would also address some of Russia’s stated concerns.”
The official added that it remains unclear whether Russia is interested in moving forward with its goals diplomatically rather than using force.
