Putin is satisfied with his call with Biden and paves the way for security talks

Russia expressed satisfaction with the outcome of a phone call between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday, decreasing the month-long standoff over Ukraine, despite the United States repeating its warnings to Moscow to reduce tension, Bloomberg News reported on Friday.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement that Biden stressed that America and its allies would "respond decisively" if Russia invaded Ukraine.

Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said the Russian president was pleased with the conversation, which would pave the way for three sets of negotiations on Europe's security next month.

"This is what we are working for, and for this the two presidents reached an agreement, and for this we are pleased and satisfied," Ushakov told reporters after the call.

Ushakov added: "Today's conversation was good, constructive, frank, and it seems to me that it lays a good, indeed good, basis for the start of negotiations."

Following the talks, a senior White House official said any Russian military intervention in Ukraine would lead to tough sanctions on Moscow and the expansion of NATO's presence in its eastern member states.

In this case, Ukraine can count on additional aid, including for its armed forces and for national defence.

During the nearly hour-long phone conversation, Biden also pushed for a diplomatic solution and expressed support for talks at NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe scheduled for early next year.

Ushakov said late on Thursday that Moscow "will take into account the considerations of the American side and our partners in Western countries in the negotiations," in comments reported by the Russian Interfax news agency.

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