Washington. December 5th. INTERFAX - The United States is ready to provide Ukraine with everything necessary for it to be able to protect its territory, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a conference at the Ronald Reagan Foundation.
He once again stated Washington's concern about Russia's alleged buildup of troops on the border with Ukraine, and said that the United States is ready to "assist Ukraine in protecting its sovereign territory," as well as ensure "that it has what it needs to protect its sovereign territory."
Austin noted that the United States will seek various forms of support for this, stressing that in the current situation "there is space for diplomacy and the work of leaders," but did not give details so as not to anticipate what US President Joe Biden plans to talk about at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As confirmed by the White House, Biden will raise the topic of Ukraine, cybersecurity, strategic stability during a video call with Putin on Tuesday, December 7.
"President Biden will hold a secure video conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 7, 2021," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.
According to her, "the leaders will discuss a number of topics related to bilateral relations between the United States and Russia, in particular - strategic stability, cybersecurity, regional issues."
Also, according to the White House, Biden is going to "express US concerns about Russian military activity on the border with Ukraine. He will once again express support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Earlier, the fact that Putin's conversation with Biden will take place next Tuesday, said the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov.
The day before, the Associated Press (AP) agency, citing a source with US intelligence data, reported that a "Russian invasion of Ukraine" could be carried out in early 2022, up to 175 thousand Russian military personnel will be involved in this.
