President Biden wrapped a two-hour video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, during which the U.S. president warned Moscow against invading Ukraine.
The White House said in a subsequent readout that 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 U.S. and our Allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation.”
“President Biden reiterated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy,” the readout continued.
Biden held the call with Putin as a Russian troop buildup on the border with Ukraine has exacerbated fears about a potential Russian military invasion of its neighbor to the west.
Biden and Putin connected over a secure video call just after 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to the White House, and the call concluded at 12:08 p.m.
The White House kept the meeting closed to reporters, but the Kremlin was quick to release photos and video of the meeting between the two leaders.
“Hello,” Biden said after Putin greeted him, according to a brief clip of the start of the meeting. “Good to see you again.”
Biden administration officials said the president would warn Putin of harsh economic consequences if Russia were to invade Ukraine.
Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, is expected to discuss the call with reporters in greater detail at an afternoon press briefing.
U.S. officials said they have prepared a package of economic sanctions with European partners that would damage the Russian economy in hopes of deterring further Russian aggression towards Ukraine and ratcheting down tensions.
“We believe that we have a path forward that would involve substantial economic countermeasures by both the Europeans and the United States that would impose significant and severe economic harm on the Russian economy should they choose to proceed,” a senior administration official told reporters in advance of the call on Monday.
The White House said Biden plans to have a follow-up conversation with the leaders of France, Italy, the U.K. and Germany later Tuesday following the call with Putin.
Updated at 1:25 p.m.