Three days after talks with Putin: Biden will call Zelensky on January 2

KIEV. December, 31st. UNN. American leader Joe Biden will hold talks with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on January 2, Sunday. The leaders will discuss the military buildup on the border of Ukraine. This was reported on Twitter by AP journalist Darlene Superville, citing a source in the White House, reports UNN.

Quote

“The White House informs that Biden will hold talks with the leader of Ukraine on Sunday (January 2 – ed.) to confirm US support for the sovereignty/territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the message reads.

Details

The journalist’s post also says that the parties will discuss Russia’s military buildup on the borders of Ukraine, and “will consider preparations for the upcoming diplomatic clashes.”

WH says Biden will speak w Ukraine’s leader on Sunday to reaffirm US support for Ukraine’s sovereignty/territorial integrity, discuss Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, and review preparations for upcoming diplomatic engagements to help de-escalate regional tension.

— darlene superville (@dsupervilleap) December 31, 2021

Add

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken today had a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in which he discussed the upcoming cooperation with Russia. According to the press service of the State Department, the Alliance is ready for a meaningful dialogue with Moscow, and at the same time is united in deterring further aggression against Ukraine.

Context

On December 17, Russia sent the United States and NATO proposals on security in Eastern Europe, which, in its opinion, are necessary to ease tensions around Ukraine. Moscow’s demands include a ban on Ukraine joining NATO, the Kremlin’s veto on the deployment of NATO military forces in former Soviet republics and the cessation of military exercises near its borders.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Alliance has received the latest “proposals” from Russia, and such a dialogue should take place in consultation with NATO’s European partners, such as Ukraine.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, in a telephone conversation with Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, said that the United States is ready to negotiate with the Kremlin both directly and through the NATO-Russia Council and through the OSCE. But Moscow should remove the West’s concern about building up its military potential on the border with Ukraine.

The US State Department noted that the United States plans to start negotiations with Russia on European security guarantees in January in order to reduce tensions around Ukraine caused by the deployment of Russian military on its border.