Biden warns Putin of 'decisive' action if Russia invades Ukraine

The two leaders spoke on a secure call for about an hour regarding the troop buildup, says White House

PARIS/ WASHINGTON:

US President Joe Biden warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the United States and its allies would "respond decisively" if Russia "further" invaded Ukraine, the White House said on Saturday.

The leaders spoke on a secure call for about an hour on Saturday morning regarding the troop buildup around Ukraine, a White House official said on Saturday.

"President Biden reiterated that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine would produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia's standing," the White House said.

A US official said the call produced no fundamental change and it was unclear if Russia would pursue diplomacy or military action.

While the United States was prepared to engage in diplomacy, Washington remained "equally prepared for other scenarios," the White House added.

Also read: Ukraine invasion could come 'any time' as Russia masses more troops, says US

Meanwhile, a French presidency official said Russian President Vladimir Putin gave no indication in a phone call with President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday that he was preparing to invade Ukraine.

The two leaders spoke at a time of high tension over Russia's massing of troops near the Ukrainian border, with Washington saying on Friday that Moscow could invade at any moment. Russia has denied it plans to invade.

"We see no indication in what President Putin says that he is going to go on the offensive," the official told reporters after Macron and Putin spoke on the phone for nearly 90 minutes.

"We are nevertheless extremely vigilant and alert to the Russian (military) posture in order to avoid the worst."

Separately, the Kremlin said that Putin had highlighted during the call with Macron a "lack of a substantive response from the United States and NATO to well-known Russian initiatives". This referred to a series of Russian security demands, including that it bar Ukraine from ever joining NATO.