US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday exchanged warnings about Ukraine, but expressed some optimism that diplomatic talks in January could ease the escalation, Reuters reported.
In a 50-minute conversation, the second of the month, Biden said he wanted Russia to reduce the build-up of troops near Ukraine, while Putin said sanctions threatening Washington and allies could sever ties. The conversation was requested by Putin.
"President Biden reiterated that significant progress in these dialogues can only happen in a de-escalated environment, not an escalation," said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the talks set a "good background" for future talks.
The exchange of leaders laid the groundwork for lower-level engagement between the countries, including a US-Russia security meeting on January 9-10, followed by a Russia-NATO session on January 12 and a broader conference involving Moscow, Washington and others. European countries, scheduled for 13 January.
Despite diplomacy talks, the tone of the conversation was described by officials on both sides as "serious". And neither side has detailed significant progress on the resolution or outline of any deal.
For his part, Biden reiterated his threat of unprecedented sanctions if Russia chooses to invade Ukraine.
"Biden outlined two paths," including diplomacy and deterrence, as well as "serious costs and consequences," a senior administration official said.
"Both leaders acknowledged that there are likely to be areas where we can make significant progress, as well as areas where agreements may be impossible, and that the forthcoming negotiations will more precisely define the contours of each of these categories."
Assistants said the options include measures that would effectively detach Russia from the global financial system while further arming NATO.
Ushakov said Putin "responded immediately" that any sanctions now or later "could lead to a complete severance of ties between our countries." He added: "Our president also mentioned that it will be a mistake that our descendants will see as a huge mistake."
The Kremlin said Biden seemed to agree with Putin's claim that Moscow needed some security assurances from the West, and that he had said the United States did not intend to deploy offensive weapons in Ukraine.
A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Kremlin's announcement of Biden's remarks.
Putin has compared current tensions to the Cuban-era Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Washington has seen many of his demands, including restrictions on NATO enlargement, as unacceptable.
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