Putin, Biden will speak directly in the near future, Blinken says
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Moscow of the "severe costs" Russia would pay if it invaded Ukraine, urging his Russian counterpart on Thursday to seek a diplomatic exit from the crisis, Reuters reported.
"I made very clear our deep concerns and our resolve to hold Russia responsible for its actions, including our commitment to work with European allies to impose severe costs and consequences on Russia if it takes further aggressive action against Ukraine," Blinken told a news conference after the meeting.
Interfax news agency, quoting Russia's foreign ministry, said Lavrov had told Blinken that Moscow would respond if Ukraine got drawn into any U.S. "geopolitical games".
The ministry hoped a Putin-Biden summit would take place in the coming days, Interfax said. Blinken said: "I think it’s likely the presidents will speak directly in the near future".