U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, April 13.
According to the White House readout, Biden expressed concerns “over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders,” and called on Putin to de-escalate tensions. Biden also underscored Washington's “unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
In addition, Biden proposed that in the coming month, he and Putin hold a summit meeting in a third country “to discuss the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia.”
“President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia’s actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference,” the readout says.
In an interview in March, President Biden answered in the affirmative when asked if he considers Putin a “killer.” A day later, Putin responded with a schoolyard retort that loosely translates as: “Look who’s talking!”