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WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, the first phone call between the two since the American president took office, the White House confirmed.
Relations between the two nations have been rocky, exacerbated by former President Donald Trump’s tenuous relationship with the Kremlin.
“Vladimir Putin congratulated Joseph Biden on the start of his work as President of the United States,” the Kremlin described the call in a translation of a readout of the call. “He noted that normalization of relations between Russia and the United States would meet the interests of both countries and – given their special responsibility for maintaining security and stability in the world – of the entire international community.”
The Russians added, “In general, the conversation between the leaders of Russia and the United States was businesslike and frank.”
Ahead of the call White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden planned to discuss a five year extension to the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty and to “reaffirm our strong support for Ukraine sovereignty” amid Russia’s ongoing aggression towards the country.
Biden also planned to raise concerns over the Solar Winds hack on the federal government that has been linked by U.S. officials to Russia, media reports of Russia placing bounties on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, election interference, the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the recent treatment of protesters by Russian security forces.
“His 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,” Psaki said.
Biden has spoken to a number of America’s allies since taking office including the leaders of Canada, Germany and France.
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