Biden and Putin talk about Russian troop movements near Ukraine

Presidents Biden and Putin talked by phone on April
13. The whitehouse.gov release regarding the call states that Joe Biden
“emphasized the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty
and territorial integrity.” He went on to raise the issue of the Russian
military build-up on Ukraine’s borders. Biden also proposed that the U.S. and
Russia hold a summit in a third country in order to discuss “the full range of
issues” between them.

Also on April 13, Russian Defense Minister Sergey
Shoygu clarified the status of the Russian troop buildup on Ukraine’s borders.
Apnews.com reports that Shoygu declared the movements a response to NATO
military activities. He stated that the military maneuvers would last for two
more weeks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian
Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba met in Brussels on the same day. According to
the state.gov report on the meeting, Blinken reiterated the U.S.’s unwavering
support of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. He also emphasized the
need for Ukraine to continue with reforms.

James Hydzik: Shoygu’s
statement that the maneuvers would last another two weeks – effectively putting
a tentative end-date to this chapter of Russia’s attempt to test western
resolve – brought relief. However, for Ukraine’s government, the cost will be
in terms of continued reform. The U.S. message has been clear and consistent.
If Ukraine has indeed learned the lesson that American support is contingent
upon progress in reform, then the upshot of Russia’s quite expensive movement
of thousands of men and pieces of material is an even more reformed Ukraine
than before.