US President Joe Biden will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin via video call on Tuesday. Top leaders of the two countries will discuss a wide range of topics including US-Russia relations including cyber, strategic stability and regional issues. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov had already indicated the talks online, he did not specify a specific date. He had said that preparations have been made, talks between President Putin and his American counterpart Biden could take place next week. Also next week talks are proposed between Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
It would be difficult for Putin to attack Ukraine: Biden
US President Joe Biden said on Friday he was working on a comprehensive initiative that would make it much harder for Russian President Vladimir Putin to attack Ukraine. “We are bringing everyone together on the issue of Ukraine and I think it will be a comprehensive initiative to stop Putin from stepping in,” Biden told reporters. It will be extremely difficult for the Russian President to attack Ukraine. On the condition of not allowing Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Biden said, “I do not accept any condition like Russia’s red line.”
Russia planning to attack Ukraine – US intelligence agency
According to the New York Times, a report by the US intelligence agency said that Russia is planning an attack on Ukraine. The attack could begin early next year. The Biden administration has become alert after receiving such reports. A Biden administration official said the intelligence agency estimates that Russia is going to deploy 1.75 lakh troops to the Ukrainian border. Half of these have already been deployed. He said that Russia is looking to land 100 battalions on the border with weapons and modern military equipment. Before the attack, Russia is also trying to defame Ukraine and NATO through internet media.
