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National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said President Biden was “direct and straightforward” in his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that Biden conveyed the US will respond to further Russian escalation in Ukraine with “specific robust clear responses” if required.
“He (Biden) reiterated American support for Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity. He told President Putin directly that if Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States and our European allies would respond with strong economic measures,” Sullivan said in a briefing Tuesday following the phone call.
“We would provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainian’s above and beyond that which we are already providing. And we would fortify our NATO allies on the eastern flank with additional capabilities in response to such an escalation.”
Biden also told Putin there’s “another option” of “de-escalation and diplomacy” pointing to actions taken following the Cold War.
Sullivan said there was “a lot of give and take” on the call adding, “There was no finger waging. But the President was crystal clear about where the United States stands on all of these issues.”
Sullivan said Biden “welcomed” the opportunity to engage “clearly and directly” with Putin.
Sullivan added that after the call Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the UK to debrief them and will be speaking the leaders of both houses of congress shortly.
Biden will also speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday.
On next steps, Biden and Putin agreed that their teams would follow up on items discussed Tuesday, Sullivan said.
Sullivan said that in addition to diplomatic channels, the US will also prepare for all contingencies including “through the preparation of specific responses to Russian escalation should they be required.”