A Ukrainian soldier holds a cat and walks in a trench on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels near Debaltsevo, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Ukraine Friday, Dec 3, 2021. In this Friday, the Ukrainian defense minister warned that Russia could invade his country next month. Russia-West tensions escalated recently with Ukraine and its Western backers becoming increasingly concerned that a Russian troop buildup near the Ukrainian border could signal Moscow's intention to invade. (AP Photo/Andriy Dubchak)
Biden, Putin set video call Tuesday as Ukraine tensions grow
By Ellen Knickmeyer, Dasha Litvinova, Aamer Madhani and Colleen Long/AP
Andriy Dubchak / AP
A Ukrainian soldier holds a cat and walks in a trench on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels near Debaltsevo, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Ukraine Friday, Dec 3, 2021. In this Friday, the Ukrainian defense minister warned that Russia could invade his country next month. Russia-West tensions escalated recently with Ukraine and its Western backers becoming increasingly concerned that a Russian troop buildup near the Ukrainian border could signal Moscow's intention to invade. (AP Photo/Andriy Dubchak)
(Moscow) — Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin plan to speak in a video call Tuesday as tensions between the United States and Russia escalate over a Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border.
The buildup is seen as a sign of a potential invasion.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden will press U.S. concerns about Russian military activities on the border and reaffirm U.S. support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Putin intends to express Russia’s opposition to any move to admit Ukraine into the NATO military alliance.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has plenty of options to make good on its pledge to hit Russia financially if Putin sends troops into Ukraine.
Financial experts and former diplomats say the possibilities range from sanctions hitting Putin’s associates to cutting Russia off from the financial system — known as SWIFT — that sends money flowing around the world.
The United States and European allies have made no public mention of any plans to respond militarily if Russia invades Ukraine.
Instead, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has promised “high impact economic measures.”
