‘Nothing new’ about Russia, China moving closer together, says Joe Biden

Washington [US], February 7 (ANI): There was nothing new about Moscow and Beijing moving closer together, said US President Joe Biden on Sunday after the Chinese and Russian heads of state met last week in Beijing, reaffirming friendship between their nations. “There is nothing new about that,” Biden told reporters when pressed on whether he was worried that Russia was getting too close to China, according to Sputnik.

It came after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Beijing on Friday.
The two presidents had an in-depth and thorough exchange of views on China–Russia relations and a series of major issues that concern international strategic security and stability, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Xi described Putin’s visit as fulfilled commitment to a get-together for the Winter Olympics and shared his belief that Friday’s Spring Festival Meeting will add fresh vitality to China–Russia relations. Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said on Saturday that with this meeting fears are growing in Washington that Moscow is moving closer to Beijing.

Asked whether he would consider sending more troops to eastern Europe if tensions around Ukraine escalated, Biden on Sunday said “I am not gonna speculate on that.” (ANI)

Biden discusses Ukraine with French President: White House

Washington [US], February 7 (ANI/Sputnik): US President Joe Biden has discussed the Ukraine situation with French President Emmanuel Macron over the phone, ahead of the latter’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the White House informs. “President Joe Biden spoke today with President Emmanuel Macron of France. The leaders discussed ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia‘s continued military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, and affirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the White House said in a Sunday statement. According to the release, Biden and Macron agreed that the two sides will stay in close touch, including in consultation with EU partners and Ukraine.

Macron will meet with Putin in Moscow on Monday. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the two leaders are expected to discuss European security, bilateral relations and the Ukraine situation. On Wednesday, Biden and Macron held a telephone call discussing Ukraine, following the Pentagon’s announcement regarding the deployment of additional US forces to Poland, Germany, and Romania in the next few days. US officials said the deployment is designed to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank amid the Ukraine crisis.

In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an “invasion.” Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO’s military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory.

Russia has also warned Western countries that military deliveries to Kiev may encourage the latter to use them against the breakaway Russian-speaking region of Donbas. The United States has been in the process of delivering USD 200 million worth of security assistance approved by President Joe Biden in December. (ANI/Sputnik)

Joe Biden, Israeli PM discuss Iran, Ukraine in phone call

Tel Aviv [Israel], February 7 (ANI/Sputnik): Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with US President Joe Biden on the phone on Sunday and agreed to stay in regular contact, the Israeli premier’s office said. “The two leaders discussed regional challenges, especially the growing Iranian aggression, and the steps to block the Iranian nuclear program,” the press statement read.

“They also discussed the situation between Russia and Ukraine,” the statement added. Bennett praised US forces for taking out an Islamist leader in an operation in northwestern Syria on Wednesday and thanked Biden for his steadfast support of Israel. He invited the US president and the first lady to visit Israel. (ANI/Sputnik)

Additional US troops arrive in Poland amid Ukraine tensions

Warsaw [Poland], February 7 (ANI/Xinhua): A plane carrying US soldiers landed in southern Poland on Sunday, on US President Joe Biden’s order to deploy additional US troops to Poland, Romania and Germany this week, amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The 1,700 US soldiers sent to Poland will operate in the country’s eastern-southern part, according to the Polish Defence Ministry.

Logistics, equipment and a handful of soldiers arrived on other planes on Friday and Saturday. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine are growing as the Western countries are stepping up military maneuvers near the Russian borders.

Kyiv and its Western allies have accused Russia of massing troops near the Ukrainian border, further pointing to the possibility of an “invasion”. Moscow has denied such claims, adding that it had every right to mobilize troops within its borders and defend its national security. (ANI/Xinhua)