Inside Biden's call with Putin


President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke one-on-one Tuesday morning regarding tensions between the Kremlin and Ukraine, a "high-stakes diplomatic effort" by the U.S. at deterring Russia from invading Kyiv. Though exact details of the meeting have yet to emerge (if they do at all), here's what we know about what went down:
As for the conference's kick off, CBS News' Ed O'Keefe shared a video broadcast from Russian state television showing Biden and Putin kindly greeting one another as the bilat began.
Just don't think the two leaders were waving hi to one another over Zoom, reports The New York Times. Instead, Biden relied on his administration's "secure communications process" to get through to Russia, a system with protocol that often varies from White House to White House. A secure call essentially means the resulting conversation is encrypted.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Biden appeared alone on screen in the White House's Situation Room, but it is "common practice" to have aides listening in nearby, with a note taker present also present to piece to together an accurate account of the call. In this case, reports the Times, a translator would likely be in attendance, as well.
All in all, the two leaders spoke for two hours and one minute, according to the White House. An official readout of the meeting says Biden used the bilat to voice "deep concerns" about Putin's escalation of forces around Ukraine, and make "clear that the U.S. and our allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation." The presidents also discussed strategic stability, ransomware, and "joint work on regional issues such as Iran."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Ozempic and its brethren are running headlong into American dining and dieting culture
In the Spotlight Some restaurants are feeling the burn. So are beauty expectations.
-
How the AI takeover will likely affect women more than men
The Explainer The tech boom is a blow to gender equality
-
2 Israel Embassy staff shot dead at DC Jewish museum
speed read The suspected gunman chanted 'free, free Palestine'
-
What are the different types of nuclear weapons?
The Explainer Speculation mounts that post-war taboo on nuclear weapons could soon be shattered by use of 'battlefield' missiles
-
The secret lives of Russian saboteurs
Under The Radar Moscow is recruiting criminal agents to sow chaos and fear among its enemies
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
-
What's behind Russia's biggest conscription drive in years?
Today's Big Question Putin calls up 160,000 men, sending a threatening message to Ukraine and Baltic states
-
Is the 'coalition of the willing' going to work?
Today's Big Question PM's proposal for UK/French-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine provokes 'hostility' in Moscow and 'derision' in Washington
-
Russia's spies: skulduggery in Great Yarmouth
In the Spotlight 'Amateurish' spy ring in Norfolk seaside town exposes the decline of Russian intelligence
-
Can Ukraine make peace with Trump in Saudi Arabia?
Talking Point Zelenskyy and his team must somehow navigate the gap between US president's 'demands and threats'
-
Ukraine: where do Trump's loyalties really lie?
Today's Big Question 'Extraordinary pivot' by US president – driven by personal, ideological and strategic factors – has 'upended decades of hawkish foreign policy toward Russia'