Political | Process

He was speaking a day after two hours of talks by video link with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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• The virtual summit was aimed at reducing tensions in the region after a major Russian troop build-up along Ukraine’s eastern border.

• Russia has accused Ukraine of provocation, and sought guarantees against eastward NATO expansion and deployment of weapons close to Russia.

• Ukrainian authorities have said Moscow could be planning a military offensive at the end of January, although US officials say it is not yet clear whether President Putin has made a decision.

• Speaking on Wednesday, Mr. Putin refused to say whether he would order troops into Ukraine. But he said he could not sit back while the military alliance moved close to Russia.

• Mr. Biden said he had made it clear to Mr. Putin during Tuesday’s meeting that there would be “economic consequences like none he’s ever seen”.

• He was confident that the Russian leader got the message, he added.

• But when asked about possible military action, Mr. Biden said the US’s moral and legal obligations to its NATO allies in the region did not extend to Ukraine, who is not a member of the 30-member organization.

SOURCE: REUTERS