The United Nations has welcomed talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden on security and strategic issues, UN spokeswoman Florence Soto Nino told Sputnik.
On Thursday, the two presidents had a telephone conversation to discuss rising tensions in Ukraine and the upcoming talks on the issue. "We always welcome dialogue between member nations," Soto Nino said when asked about the phone call.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have risen over the past few weeks amid claims of alleged Russian military operations on the Ukrainian border and preparations for an attack. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations. Russia has claimed in its discretion that it has the right to deploy troops within its territory, and has accused NATO military operations near the Russian border of endangering its security.
On December 17, Russia sent security guarantee proposals to NATO and the United States. Talks between Moscow and Washington on security guarantees are scheduled for January 10. A Russia-NATO Council meeting is scheduled for January 12 to discuss the issue, and a summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Russia and Europe is scheduled for the next day.
