Moscow
The talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden were frank and businesslike, the press service of the Russian presidential administration reported on December 7.
"A lengthy conversation between Vladimir Putin and President of the United States Joseph Biden took place in the format of a video conference," the Kremlin said in a statement. "In general, the conversation was frank and businesslike," the Russian presidential administration concluded.
It is noted that the main issue of the conversation between the presidents was the situation "related to the internal Ukrainian crisis and the lack of progress in the implementation of the 2015 Minsk agreements." It is reported that Putin effectively "illustrated" Ukraine's destructive policy leading to the dismantling of the Minsk agreements, and "expressed serious concern" about Kiev's escalation of the conflict in the east of the country.
In addition, in response to Biden's warning about the readiness of the United States and its allies to apply sanctions against Russia if it is involved in the aggravation of the situation in Ukraine, the Russian leader said that "responsibility should not be shifted on Russia's shoulders, since it is NATO that makes dangerous attempts to develop Ukrainian territory and builds military capabilities near our borders".
Putin stressed that Russia needs reliable, legally fixed guarantees ruling out NATO's expansion eastward and the deployment of offensive weapons on the territories of the states bordering Russia.
On December 7, the presidents of Russia and the US held talks. Video communication between the heads of states started via a secure channel at 18:00 Moscow time. Putin held a dialogue with Biden in the Sochi residence, while Joe Biden came out of the White House.
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