"Support" for the diplomatic solution but "the US and its allies and partners will respond resolutely if Russia further invades Ukraine".
US President Joe Biden specified it during the 50-minute phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin: "Substantial progress" in dialogue "can only occur in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation", he added. according to what was released by the White House.
"President Biden has asked Russia to ease tensions with Ukraine," reports Washington. Biden "also expressed support for diplomacy, starting early next year with the bilateral dialogue on strategic stability, to NATO through the NATO-Russia Council, and to the OSCE".
For the Kremlin, Putin said he was "satisfied" with the phone call but warned Biden against adopting sanctions against Moscow, warning that this would be "a colossal mistake". Moscow, the Kremlin adds, wants "results" on the required "guarantees" of security.
The call was the second in a month, this time on Russian request. An opening reaffirmed even a few hours before the talks by both sides, to fuel a possible atmosphere of thaw in view of the crucial discussions that will open in Geneva in three different locations from 10 January: the US-Russia bilateral negotiations, followed by the council NATO-Russia and the OSCE meeting.
(Unioneonline / D)
