President Joe Biden is expected to hold a second call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne announced during the Thursday call, Biden and Putin will “discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia.”
She added, “The Biden Administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russia’s military build-up on the border with Ukraine.”
Horne explained Biden “has spoken with leaders across Europe, and Biden Administration officials have engaged multilaterally with NATO, the EU, and the OSCE.”
According to the spokesperson, officials have also “held numerous consultations with their counterparts, including those from eastern flank countries bilaterally and in the B9 format as well as Ukraine.”
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on President Biden’s Upcoming Phone Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia pic.twitter.com/farXFbtgQT
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) December 29, 2021
An official told CNN Putin requested the call and Biden accepted it because he believes “when it comes to Russia there is no substitute for direct leader-leader dialogue.”
Earlier this month, Biden held a secure video call with Putin. According to the White House, the president “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.”
He “reiterated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.”
Biden and Putin reportedly discussed “the U.S.-Russia dialogue on Strategic Stability, a separate dialogue on ransomware, as well as joint work on regional issues such as Iran.”
