U.S. President Pledges Decisive Response If Russia Invades Ukraine

The United States, its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russian troops invade Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden assured President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during their telephone conversation on 2 January.

As the press service of the White House informs, the leaders expressed support for diplomatic efforts, starting next week. In particular, these include the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue within the NATO-Russia Council, the talks between Russian and American diplomats within the framework of the Strategic Stability Dialogue, and the OSCE meeting.

“President Biden underscored the commitment of the United States and its allies and partners to the principle of ‘nothing about you without you’,” the statement reads.

At the same time, the website of the Office of the President of Ukraine reports that the parties discussed the steps taken by Ukraine within the Minsk and Normandy formats and stressed the importance of further diplomatic efforts.

“Today, it is about the future not only of Ukraine, but it is also about European security and world order based on rules and democratic values,” Zelenskyy said, adding that he appreciates the “unwavering support of Ukraine” from the United States.

Zelensky and Biden spoke a few days after the U.S. president held a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

As a reminder, the talks between the United States and Russia, which demands not to admit Ukraine to NATO, are scheduled for 10 January.

Bohdan Marusyak