Biden reaffirms commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty in phone call to Zelensky
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Washington/Kiev: US President Joe Biden reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Kiev's "sovereignty and territorial integrity" in response to Russias military preparations on the eastern European nation's borders. He made the US position clear during a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the White House.
During the Sunday phone call, Biden in effect assured Zelensky that "the US would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine".
The two leaders further agreed on the "importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence" over Russia's military move.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine understands all current risks and is ready for "any developments", Xinhua news agency quoted a statement issued by his press service as saying.
Zelensky, in words of thanks to the US, also said that the US support served to strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian army.
The Ukranian leader invited Biden to visit Ukraine "in the coming days", saying that such a trip is crucial to stabilising the situation. He also underlined
The Ukrainian leader also stressed the importance of providing effective security guarantees for Kiev.
"We are ready to discuss them in different formats," he stressed.
The allegation of Russia amassing heavy troops along the Ukranian border with an obvious intention of invading the neighbour, has been raised by Ukrania and several countries since November.
On its part, Russia denies the accusation, emphasising its right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory as the NATO's activities constitute a threat to Moscow's border security.
Also, in the background of evolving tensions, the US and some other countries have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine.
The US has been releasing intelligence which it claims is proof that Russia is prepared to mount a military aggression against Ukraine any time now, but Moscow has accused Washington of "hysteria" over tensions near Kiev.
(Based on IANS feed)
