Vladimir Putin

The leaders continued their "substantive dialogue" on the situation regarding Ukraine and the establishment of long-term and legally binding security guarantees between Russia and the West, Xinhua news agency quoted the Kremlin as saying. Putin noted the "provocative statements and actions of the Kiev leadership that run counter to the Minsk agreements" on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that Moscow's concerns were justified by "Washington's unpredictable sanctions behavior," which continues in the international arena, Xinhua news agency reported, citing local media reports. "There are plans aimed at hedging risks and minimizing the consequences of such unpredictable actions," Peskov said when asked if Russia was preparing for a possible ban on transactions in US dollars.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed the Ukrainian crisis and Moscow's security proposals with the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a telephone conversation. Both leaders exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, with Putin drawing attention to Kiev's non-compliance with the 2015 Minsk accords, Xinhua news agency quoted the Kremlin as saying.

Putin told Macron that Russia will carefully study the written responses from the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to Moscow's draft agreements on security guarantees, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by Kremlin. Putin stressed that the US and NATO responses did not take into account such fundamental concerns of Russia as stopping NATO's expansion and refraining from deploying offensive weapons near Russian borders, among others.

In a brief interaction with mediapersons on Tuesday, Biden said "Yes" when asked if sanctions could be imposed on the Russian President personally if his country invades Ukraine, adding that such a move would mean "enormous consequences worldwide". He also said that the US could commit more military strength in eastern Europe in case of any Russian invasion, but ruled out sending them to Ukraine itself, though military supplies, including anti-tank missiles, have been sent.

"We are watching the actions of the US with great concern," TASS news agency said on Tuesday, citing the spokesman. The US Department of Defense announced on Monday that nearly 8,500 US troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment due to escalating tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, with no decision on formal deployments.

"We have no intention of putting American forces or NATO forces in Ukraine," Biden told reporters on Tuesday when he was at a store in Washington buying gifts for his wife and grandson, Xinhua news agency reported. "But I said there are going to be serious economic consequences if (Russian President Vladimir Putin) moves" Russian troops into Ukraine.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has been lobbying with Putin to visit Pakistan. He formally invited the latter over a telephonic conversation in August last year and reiterated the same in another phone call made last week. The two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the 2022 Winter Olympics inauguration next month in Beijing.

This is Putin and Raisi's first in-person meeting since the latter took office in August last year, and also the first visit by an Iranian leader to Russia since 2017. During Wednesday's meeting, Putin noted that trade between the two countries increased by over 6 per cent in 2020 despite the pandemic, and by more than 38 per cent last year.

Responding to a question on the evolving situation at the Russia-Ukraine border and President Putin's intentions, Joe Biden said:  “I’m not so sure he is certain what he’s going to do. My guess is he will move in… (Russia will) pay a stiff price, immediately, short-term, medium-term and long-term if they do it.”  The US president made these remarks while addressing a news conference to mark his one-year anniversary in office. “What you’re going to see is that Russia will be held accountable if it invades and it depends on what it does,” Biden said.