The decision got here amid US warnings {that a} Russian invasion of Ukraine may occur as quickly as this week.
“President Biden made clear that the USA would reply swiftly and decisively, along with its Allies and companions, to any additional Russian aggression towards Ukraine. The 2 leaders agreed on the significance of continuous to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia’s army build-up on Ukraine’s borders,” in line with the White Home readout.
A senior Ukrainian official mentioned Zelensky renewed requires Washington to supply better army and monetary assist to Ukraine and requested for Biden to go to Ukraine as quickly as doable. US officers mentioned a visit by Biden to Ukraine is extraordinarily unlikely.
The official, who had been briefed on the dialog, advised CNN that Zelensky used the decision to counsel what the official described as “concrete concepts to decrease the Russian risk to Ukraine” equivalent to offering Ukraine better army assist, together with extra superior weaponry.
Zelensky additionally emphasised to Biden the necessity for a major monetary package deal for Ukraine, in line with the official. The official advised CNN the Ukrainian chief burdened to his US counterpart that robust financial assist would — within the phrases of the official — “present Putin that the West stands with Ukraine, and that the affect of Putin’s escalation would bear no fruit.”
In line with the Ukrainian official, Zelensky requested Biden to go to Ukraine as quickly as doable, however that there had been no constructive response from Biden. US officers mentioned a visit by Biden to Ukraine is extraordinarily unlikely.
When reached for remark by CNN, a White Home official famous safety help to Ukraine is ongoing, highlighted shipments in current weeks and mentioned the administration is exploring “further macroeconomic assist to assist Ukraine’s economic system” amid the Russian army buildup.
Biden and Zelensky final spoke in January and it “didn’t go effectively,” a senior Ukrainian official advised CNN on the time, amid disagreements over the “threat ranges” of a Russian assault.
Their newest name Sunday got here a day after Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout a name that the US and its allies will reply “decisively and impose swift and extreme prices” on Russia ought to Putin resolve to invade Ukraine.
Biden’s nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday issued a stark warning that the US believes Russia may launch an invasion of Ukraine this week, however continues to be holding out hope diplomacy can prevail. Sullivan advised CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” that Russian forces are in a spot the place an invasion may happen earlier than the top of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which finish on February 20.
The US has estimated that Russia has greater than 100,000 troops close to the Ukraine border, with 1000’s added simply this week, in line with an administration official. As of Saturday, the US had moved a few of its forces out of Ukraine and ordered the evacuation of most of its embassy employees on Saturday as fears mount over a doable Russian invasion.
Sullivan mentioned the US Embassy in Ukraine is “prepared to finish the drawdown … ought to that grow to be obligatory.”
This story has been up to date with further data.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins contributed to this report.
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