Logo

Biden, Putin talk as Russia moves thousands of troops to Ukrainian border

by News Desk December 7, 2021
Biden, Putin talk as Russia moves thousands of troops to Ukrainian border
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin participate in a tete-a-tete during a U.S.-Russia Summit on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the Villa La Grange in Geneva.

President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held talks via video link after the Russian troop buildup at Ukrainian border.

A breakthrough isn’t expected at all, and tensions may further flare as Russian troops continue to be moved at the Ukrainian border.

Ahead of the talks, World leaders had urged Russia to move its troops back or get ready for a response.

Ukraine has alleged that Moscow plans an invasion at the end of January. Russia however, has denied the accusation, but satellite imagery shows the advanced troop buildup in Crimea, at the border of Luhansk, and Donetsk.

Russia, anticipating that Ukraine might join NATO has time and again warned NATO members not to accept Kyiv into the alliance. The troop buildup is seen as a preemptive measure and a tactic to stop Ukraine from trying to join the alliance.

The Biden, Putin talks began had 10:07AM. This is the first time both the US and Russian Presidents have communicated via a secure video link connection. The talks are said to have lasted for over two hours.

Not much is expected to change, as both Presidents had held talks last year in Switzerland to initiate dialogue on nuclear arms control, and sending their ambassadors back.

The US, and its allies have already made a plan to respond to a Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US, UK, France, Italy, and Germany would impose tough sanctions on Russia in a bid to hit its economy.

President Biden is also expected to talk to allies, and inform them of any breakthroughs, or future events of importance.

About 100,000 Russian troops are said to be at the border with Ukraine. Russia wants to ascertain that Ukraine does not recapture areas occupied by Russian-backed rebels since 2014.

Furthermore, Russia has also created a red line for the West, and that is the addition of Ukraine into the NATO alliance.

Ukraine, and its allies fears for another Russian invasion of the country. Time will tell whether the Moscow indeed makes the move, otherwise the troop buildup may only be a bluff to pressurize Ukraine into staying isolated.