MOSCOW, Dec 30, (Asia Free Press): Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a telephonic conversation with his US counterpart Joe Biden late on Thursday evening, according to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, reported TASS.
“Indeed, Putin’s phone call with the US president is scheduled for late tomorrow evening,” Kremlin Spokesman said.
The White House National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne earlier said that Biden would hold a phone call with Putin on Thursday, “to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements between the countries and a tense situation in Europe.”
“When President Biden has asked to speak with President Putin over the course of 2021, President Putin has said, yes, let’s talk. And when President Putin says, I’m interested in touching base and having a phone call, President Biden says yes,” said an official.
Biden is likely to reiterate during the call that the US will take swift economic action against Russia in the case of an invasion. They will also reinforce the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in such a case, diplomatic sources expect.
Earlier, Putin and Biden held a two-hour video call on December 7, focusing on the situation around Ukraine. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations, cybersecurity issues and the Iran nuclear deal.