This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59567377

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Biden and Putin hold talks amid Russia-Ukraine tensions Biden warns Putin of 'strong measures' amid Ukraine invasion fears
(about 3 hours later)
The two men spoke by video link Putin joined the meeting by video link from Sochi
US President Joe Biden has held rare talks by video link with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, amid tensions on Ukraine's eastern frontier. The US says it is preparing "robust responses" over fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, after President Biden's rare talks with Vladimir Putin.
Mr Biden voiced "deep concerns" over the massing of Russian troops near Ukraine, threatening "strong economic and other measures", Washington said. In a video link, Mr Biden voiced deep concerns over Russian troop build-ups and threatened "strong economic and other measures", Washington said.
Moscow earlier said talks were needed as tensions were "off the scale". Russia says it will not attack Ukraine.
Russia has moved thousands of troops to the border, but insists it has no intention of attacking Ukraine. Mr Putin accused Kyiv of provocation, and sought guarantees against eastward Nato expansion and deployment of offensive weapons close to Russia.
It wants guarantees Ukraine will not join Nato, but Western powers say Kyiv's sovereignty should be respected.
The talks began at 10:07 US Eastern time (15:07 GMT; 18:07 Moscow time), the White House said.The talks began at 10:07 US Eastern time (15:07 GMT; 18:07 Moscow time), the White House said.
They were held on a secure video link set up under previous administrations but never used before, Russian news agency Tass said.They were held on a secure video link set up under previous administrations but never used before, Russian news agency Tass said.
Video footage of the opening moments showed friendly greetings between the US and Russian leaders. The talks then continued behind closed doors, lasting about two hours.Video footage of the opening moments showed friendly greetings between the US and Russian leaders. The talks then continued behind closed doors, lasting about two hours.
Mr Putin held the talks from his residence in the southern resort of Sochi, according to Tass.Mr Putin held the talks from his residence in the southern resort of Sochi, according to Tass.
In a statement after the talks, the White House said: "President Biden voiced the deep concerns of the United States and our European allies about Russia's escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine and made clear that the US and our allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation. ANALYSIS: Is Russia preparing to invade Ukraine?
"President Biden reiterated his support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy." After Tuesday's video call, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told journalists Washington was preparing specific robust responses in the weeks ahead if they were required.
The White House said the two presidents also discussed "the US-Russia dialogue on strategic stability, a separate dialogue on ransomware, as well as joint work on regional issues such as Iran". "Things we did not do in 2014 we are prepared to do now," he said, referring to Western responses to Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Moscow has so far not publicly commented on the talks, publishing only a brief statement (in Russian) that the talks were held on Tuesday. "There was a lot of give and take, there was no finger-wagging, but the president was crystal clear where the United States stands on all of these issues," he added.
The measures included economic sanctions and other actions such as additional troop deployments to Nato allies in the region and defence materiel for Ukraine.
Mr Biden was accompanied by top officials for the call
He refused to be drawn on what the economic measures might be, saying the US would prefer to communicate them directly to the Russians.
But he said that Nord Stream 2, a new pipeline to Germany which is not yet in operation, provided "leverage" for the US and its allies.
"If Vladimir Putin wants to see gas flow through that pipeline, he may not want to take the risk of invading Ukraine," he said.
Earlier reports said US officials had reached agreement with Germany to shut down the pipeline in the event of an invasion.
Other possible measures include restrictions on Russia's banks converting roubles into foreign currencies, or even disconnecting Russia from the Swift global financial payment system, reports say.
'Reliable guarantees'
Meanwhile a Kremlin statement (in Russian) said Mr Putin had stressed that Russia should not be held responsible for tensions because Nato was making "dangerous attempts to take over Ukrainian territory and increasing its military potential" on Russia's borders.
"Therefore Russia is seriously interested in getting reliable guarantees fixed in law to rule out the eastward expansion of Nato and the location in countries neighbouring Russia of offensive weapons systems," the statement added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that, while the talks brought "no sensations", he was grateful for Mr Biden's "unwavering support".
Mr Biden and Mr Putin last met in person in Switzerland in June, but made little progress other than to agree to send their ambassadors back and begin a dialogue on nuclear arms control.Mr Biden and Mr Putin last met in person in Switzerland in June, but made little progress other than to agree to send their ambassadors back and begin a dialogue on nuclear arms control.
In a conference call on Monday night, the White House said the leaders of the US, UK, France, Germany and Italy had formed a joint strategy "to impose significant and severe harm on the Russian economy" should Russia launch an invasion.In a conference call on Monday night, the White House said the leaders of the US, UK, France, Germany and Italy had formed a joint strategy "to impose significant and severe harm on the Russian economy" should Russia launch an invasion.
Mr Biden is expected to speak to the four European leaders again after his talks with Mr Putin. Mr Biden spoke to the four European leaders again after his talks with Mr Putin.
ANALYSIS: Is Russia preparing to invade Ukraine?
Possible measures include restrictions on Russia's banks converting roubles into foreign currencies, or even disconnecting Russia from the Swift global financial payment system, reports say.
Before the talks, Bloomberg News reported that the US would seek to halt Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany.
Russia wants guarantees that Ukraine will not try to seize areas captured by Russian-backed separatists in 2014 and has warned the West not to cross "red lines" by adding Ukraine to Nato's military alliance.
More than 90,000 Russian troops are believed to be massed near Ukraine's borders.
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Russian troop build-up: View from Ukraine front lineRussian troop build-up: View from Ukraine front line
More than 90,000 Russian troops are believed to be massed near Ukraine's borders.
A large part of the recent Russian military build-up is in Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine and then annexed in 2014.A large part of the recent Russian military build-up is in Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine and then annexed in 2014.
Troops are also gathering near Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, the name for parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions which are under the control of Russian-backed separatists.Troops are also gathering near Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, the name for parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions which are under the control of Russian-backed separatists.
Ukrainian officials have said Moscow could be planning a military offensive at the end of January.Ukrainian officials have said Moscow could be planning a military offensive at the end of January.
More than 14,000 people have lost their lives in seven years of conflict since Russian-backed forces seized large areas of Ukraine's east.More than 14,000 people have lost their lives in seven years of conflict since Russian-backed forces seized large areas of Ukraine's east.