Photo: Alexey Nikolsky/AFP via Getty
President Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and proposed that they meet for a summit "in a third country in the coming months," according to the White House.
Why it matters: The call comes amid a Russian build-up on Ukraine's borders, and after Putin reacted furiously to an interview in which Biden agreed that the Russian president was a "killer."
- Biden expressed U.S. support for Ukraine, raised "concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up," and called on Russia to reduce tensions, per a White House readout.
- Biden also warned Putin against further "cyber intrusions and election interference."
- The two also discussed arms control.
The big picture: Biden has sought to balance his desire for a stable relationship with Russia — particularly when it comes to nuclear security — with his efforts to respond to Russian moves like the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
What to watch: The summit Biden proposed would cover "the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia," per the readout.