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The leaders of the United States and Russia held the virtual summit on Tuesday where they referred to the situation on the Ukrainian border, where tens of thousands of Russian soldiers mobilized and caused insecurity in the European Union. The Americans aim to deter through possible sanctions; from Moscow they want NATO not to mess with Georgia and Ukraine.
The long-awaited meeting between the presidents of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the United States, Joe Biden, began virtually on Tuesday, holding their second personal meeting. In Geneva, last June, it had been the only occasion where the leaders could meet.
“Unfortunately we could not see each other at the G20 summit, I hope we will see each other next time in person,” said the American in the framework of a cordial conversation.
The central motive of the conclave is related to the tension that revolves around Ukraine, which has between 70 thousand and 94 thousand Russian soldiers on the border – according to the intelligence services of Washington and Kiev – equipped with heavy weapons.
Biden’s main goal is to warn Putin of the very serious consequences that could happen should Russia decide to attack or invade Ukrainian territory with its troops.
On Monday he was conducting telephone conversations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron -French President-, Mario Draghi -Italian Prime Minister- and Boris Johnson -United Kingdom-, where they asked the Kremlin to ease tension with Kiev.
From the White House they have been, together with European partners, drawing up a package of severe economic measures to deter Russian intentions to attack Ukraine. According to US media, there would be restrictions against the energy sector or disconnect Moscow from the Swift banking data system.
For his part, Putin’s position is clear. Just as the previous week he made a proposal to NATO where he guaranteed stability in exchange for Ukraine not joining the Alliance, this time he will raise it with Biden.
Moscow does not want the organization to continue advancing towards Russia and wants them to exclude Georgia and the Ukrainians, something they had promised in 1999 and 2004 and failed to deliver without accounting for “legitimate Russian security concerns.”
Beyond the Ukraine issue, the leaders will also discuss the discontinuous bilateral relations and the agreements made in Geneva last June on strategic stability and cybersecurity.
The European Commission once again threatened Russia with sanctions
President Ursula Von der Leyen on Tuesday assured that they will approve retaliation against Moscow if they do invade Ukraine. “The European Union will respond appropriately to any additional aggression, including breaches of international law,” he said.
According to the president of the Community Executive, the penalties will consist of an expansion of the existing sanctions regimes and extra restrictive measures that the EU will work with international partners.
Finally, Von der Leyen transferred responsibility to Moscow for this situation: “We would prefer to collaborate constructively, but that depends on them. Today it is deliberate decisions and aggressive actions by Russia that continue to destabilize the security of Europe. “
With AP and Reuters
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