US, Ukraine leaders agree to pursue diplomacy and deterrence amid Russian military buildup

Europe, News, US February 14, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. President Joseph Biden held a 50-minute phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 13 to discuss Russia’s military buildup around Ukraine.

According to the White House statement, the two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders.

“President Biden reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and made clear that the U.S. and its allies and partners would respond swiftly and decisively if Russia invades Ukraine, the statement added.

The presidential office of Ukraine said in a statement that U.S. President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy discussed the security situation, ways of de-escalation, and exchanged available information, and assessments.

The Ukrainian president noted the “importance of the United States’ efforts in the consolidation of international support of Ukraine… [and] commended the active cooperation with the United States in the field of security and defense, which contributes to strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the statement added.

“We are not a member of NATO yet. Therefore, only a powerful Ukrainian army is the key to the security of our state,” Zelenskyy stressed.

*^{Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a meeting with U.S. President Joseph Biden at the White House. (Image Credit: The Presidential Office of Ukraine)}*

The leaders of the United States and Ukraine also discussed sanctions in the event of escalation of aggression by Russia. “The issue of increasing Ukraine’s financial and energy stability against the background of current challenges was also discussed,” the office of the Ukrainian president said.

The Ukrainian leader also invited President Biden to visit Ukraine to show the United States’ support amid fears of the Russian invasion.

“I am convinced that your arrival in Kyiv in the coming days, which are crucial for stabilizing the situation, will be a powerful signal and contribute to de-escalation,” Zelenskyy told Biden during the call.

ALSO READ: Biden holds phone talks with Putin as Russia, NATO intensifies military buildup around Ukraine

A dar earlier on February 12, U.S. President Biden also held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Russia’s escalating military buildup on the borders of Ukraine, and warned that if Russia undertakes a further invasion of Ukraine, the United States and its allies and partners “will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on Russia.”

On February 5, unnamed U.S. senior officials warned that Russia planned to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by mid-February and may capture the capital city of Kyiv, and topple the democratically elected President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.