Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery shelling targets the outskirts of the town of Shebaa
Al-Qassam Brigades: The targeting took place at the intersection of 'Street 5' with the western line north of Khan Younis
Al-Qassam Brigades: A NIMR armored personnel carrier carrying an Israeli soldier was targeted with an Al-Yassin missile north of Khan Younis
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police

Stalemate persists following Biden, Putin phone call on Ukraine

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Feb 2022 09:34
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

A senior US official saying that the call brought “no fundamental change” to the situation

  • x
  • Putin, Biden discuss Ukraine on the phone
    The phone conversation between Biden and Putin lasted more than an hour.

In a phone call focused on finding a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine situation, US President Joe Biden told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the US would “impose swift and severe costs on Russia” if it invades Ukraine.

The phone conversation, which lasted more than an hour, saw Biden talking about how the invasion would “produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia’s standing,” causing “irrevocable reputational damage” for the country.

On the other hand, Putin stressed that the West is not pressuring Ukraine enough to implement the Minsk agreements, which are instrumental to balancing the situation. 

A senior foreign policy adviser in the Kremlin, Yury Ushakov, said that the Russian President “noted that there is not enough pressure on the part of the Western states on Kiev so that it fulfills its obligations [under the Minsk agreements].”

Putin also stressed the tensions the continuous western supply of weapons to Ukraine is creating, notably as it might incite provocations by the Ukrainian armed forces in Donbas and Crimea.

Feedback loop

Ushakov described the conversation between the two presidents as “balanced and businesslike” and noted that both have agreed to “continue contacts at all levels.” Nevertheless, the Kremlin adviser rejected claims emanating from the US that a Russian attack was imminent: “Hysteria has reached its peak.”

Related News

Israeli actions in Gaza fuel Middle East escalation, Russia says

Russian MoD reports dozens of Ukrainian drones downed overnight

Concurrently, Washington adopted a drier tone, with a senior US official saying that the call brought “no fundamental change” to the situation whilst adding that despite keeping communication channels open between the two presidents, “Russia may decide to proceed with military actions anyway.”

This alarmist rhetoric has been prevailing recently in all US official and media reports, despite Moscow continuously reassuring that it has no intention of invading Ukraine.

Russia’s discontent with Washington’s approach was even interestingly echoed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who criticized the White House’s tone of messaging that is creating panic in the country without offering founded proof about the possible “invasion”.

Biden previously named 16 February as the date on which Russia intends to invade Ukraine. The president's claims come following US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's statement that a Russian attack on Kiev is expected before or by the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 20th.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused the US of purposefully dismissing its security proposals, chiefly the issue of Ukraine possibly joining the NATO, which Moscow categorically refuses, in addition to the continuing encroachment of NATO forces in Eastern Europe.

However, the FM refuted the idea that Russia had any plans to invade, stressing that the US’ warnings are part of a propaganda campaign: “After Russian troops finish drills and return to barracks, the west will declare ‘diplomatic victory’ by having ‘secured’ Russian ‘de-escalation’.

Lavrov went on to describe Washington’s approach as a “predictable scenario and cheap domestic political points”.

Panic in Ukraine

Washington’s reports have caused severe panic within Ukraine, causing a large number of Western countries to evacuate their embassy staff or reduce their number, whilst urging their citizens to consider leaving the country. 

Both US and Russia reduced the number of their diplomats in Kiev, keeping only a small group in order to keep communication channels open.

Furthermore, Washington has taken a decision today to relocate US embassy staff in Ukraine from Kiev to Lviv where . 'core US diplomatic team' will be working.

Read more: Which countries have asked their nationals to leave Ukraine?

  • Moscow
  • Nato
  • Russia
  • Washington
  • Kiev
  • Ukraine
  • Joe Biden
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS