This Article is From Jan 27, 2021

Biden Raises Concern Over Navalny "Poisoning", Ukraine In Call With Putin

Biden's "intention was to make clear that US will act firmly in defense of our national interests in response to malign actions by Russia", White House said.

Biden Raises Concern Over Navalny 'Poisoning', Ukraine In Call With Putin

Biden spoke about US' "strong support" for Ukraine's sovereignty in face of Russia's aggression (File)

Washington:

US President Joe Biden in his first phone call with Vladimir Putin since taking office raised concerns with the Kremlin leader over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and Russian "aggression" against Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday.

Biden placed the call in order to discuss with Putin "our willingness to extend" for five years the New START nuclear weapons treaty, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

He also brought up "our strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression," Psaki said.

Biden raised other "matters of concern, including the Solar Winds hack, reports of Russia placing bounties on United States soldiers in Afghanistan, interference in the 2020 election, the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and treatment of peaceful protesters by Russian security forces."

Psaki said Biden's "intention was also to make clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of our national interests in response to malign actions by Russia."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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