This combination of file pictures created on July 21, 2021 shows Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) in Riga, Latvia, on Oct16, 2019; and US President Joe Biden speaking on June 4, 2021, at the Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Convention Center. (JIM WATSON and GINTS LVUSKANS / AFP)
KIEV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden held a telephone conversation on Sunday to discuss the security situation around Ukraine, Zelensky's press service said.
Zelensky and Biden have exchanged information and discussed ways of de-escalation, according to a statement on the Ukrainian presidential website.
The parties also discussed the issue of increasing Ukraine's financial and energy stability amid the crisis.
Zelensky stressed that Kiev understands all current risks and is ready for "any developments."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden agreed on the importance of continuing to "pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders," according to a statement by the White House
The Ukrainian leader thanked Washington for support, saying it contributes to strengthening the capabilities of the Ukrainian army.
Zelensky invited Biden to visit Ukraine "in the coming days," saying that such a visit is crucial to stabilizing the situation.
Zelensky also stressed the importance of providing effective security guarantees for Kiev.
"We are ready to discuss them in different formats," he stressed.
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According to a statement by the White House, Biden made clear in the phone conversation that the United States would "respond swiftly and decisively, together with its allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine."
The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to "pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders," the statement added.
Meanwhile, Zelensky held a telephone conversation with and European Council President Charles Michel, discussing the challenging security situation in Ukraine, the press service said.
In particular, Zelensky and Michel talked over the steps to de-escalate the tensions within the existing diplomatic formats, including the Normandy format which incorporates Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France.
European Council President Charles Michel gives a press conference at the end of the two days face-to-face European Union summit at the European Council Building in Brussels, on October 16, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)
Noting that political and diplomatic efforts are needed to unlock the peace process in Ukraine, Zelensky reiterated his country's commitment to resolving the tensions through peaceful means.
European Council President Charles Michel reaffirmed the European Union's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the country's Euro-Atlantic aspirations
"We stand for the political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict." Zelensky said, noting that now "panic is the biggest enemy" of Ukraine.
For his part, Michel reaffirmed the European Union's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the country's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
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Since November, Kiev and some Western countries have accused Russia of assembling heavy troops near the Ukrainian border with a possible intention of "invasion."
Russia denied the accusation, saying that Russia has the right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's activities constitute a threat to Russia's border security.
In recent days, the United States and some other countries have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine, citing increased threats of military action.
