Iran Press/ Europe: Since November 2021, Kiev and some Western countries have accused Russia of assembling heavy troops near the Ukrainian border with a possible intention of 'invasion.'
Russia has denied the accusation, saying that Moscow 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.
According to Ukrainian president's press service, Volodymyr Zelensky invited U.S. President Joe Biden to visit Ukraine 'in the coming days.'
Zelensky and Biden have exchanged information and discussed ways of de-escalation, said 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.'
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.
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.'
Ukrainian leader, European Council president discuss security issues
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Council President Charles Michel held a telephone conversation discussing the challenging security situation in Ukraine, Zelensky's press service said on Sunday.
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.
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.
"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.
In recent days, the United States, Britain and some other countries have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine, citing increased threats of military action.
224
Read More:
Zakharova: West seeks to contain Russia
Ukraine may acquire nuclear weapons facing conflict with Russia
Biden holds phone call with Putin, proposing meeting in a third country
