Biden and Putin talk sanctions and rupture over Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting in Moscow on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Putin and President Joe Biden spoke for an hour Thursday, with more talks set for Jan. 9 and 10.

Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP

President Joe Biden warned Vladimir Putin that the U.S. will impose new sanctions against Russia if the Russian military action against Ukraine inches forward. Putin responded by saying that such an action could rupture ties between the two nations, according to The Associated Press.

• The two leaders spoke for an hour on Thursday amid growing concern over Russia’s 100,000 troop buildup near Ukraine.
• Russian foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov who briefed reporters in Moscow, said that the U.S sanctions “would be a colossal mistake that would entail grave consequences,” per the report. He also added that if Putin was in Biden’s shoes, he would do the same if weapons were deployed close to the country’s border.
• White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden “urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine” but also “made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine.”
• “Open lines of dialogue, open lines of diplomacy have the potential to be constructive as we seek to de-escalate the potential for conflict in and around Ukraine,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, per ABC News.

This call was scheduled ahead of the talks between the U.S. and Russian Officials on Jan. 9 and 10.