"First of all, we listened about President Biden's conversation with Putin where there were several elements. President Biden assured that during his conversation with President Putin he made it very clear to him that if dynamics in Europe were undermined, specifically in Ukraine, Russia would face very serious consequences. Consequences that the United States of America will also coordinate with European partners," Skaisgiryte said.

"Speaking of NATO's eastern flank countries, it was said that "nothing about you without you", in other words, nothing will be discussed behind the backs of the Bucharest Nine countries. President Biden also assured that additional assurance elements among these NATO countries were possible, including additional capabilities," the presidential adviser said.

Biden did not provide any specifics on where those capabilities could be deployed during the 45-minute conversation.

The Bucharest group includes Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.

According to the presidential adviser, Nauseda said during the conversation that Ukraine "is now that county where a fight for democracy is taking place and we need to do everything to help Ukraine". In her words, the president focused on medical assistance being provided by Lithuania, as well as military training.

Nauseda also asked for Biden's assurance that "nothing will be discussed under various formats, like 1+4, with meetings with Russia", Skaisgiryte said.

"President Biden responded to this concern later by saying that yes indeed (…). President Biden assured us that nothing will be done without us, this is why he wanted to speak with the Bucharest Nine countries like this. We believe that it is always better to speak within the NATO format, i.e., for all countries to speak together. But this is what it is," she said.

Western countries are very much concerned about around 100,000 Russian troops massed near the country's border with Ukraine.

Biden and Putin discussed the existing tensions during their video call on Tuesday that lasted more than two hours. During that conversation, Biden warned Putin about the West's "strong" economic response, if Moscow attacked its neighbour.

Source
It is prohibited to copy and republish the text of this publication without a written permission from UAB „BNS“.
BNS
Comment Show discussion