Joe Biden, Boris Johnson say diplomatic agreement still possible for Russia-Ukraine crisis

Leaders of NATO member countries have been in lockstep when it comes to dealing with Russia and its potential invasion of Ukraine. US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson both agreed in a recent phone call that there is still a possibility for a diplomatic solution.

Keen to avoid entering into a military conflict, Biden and Johnson spoke on the phone, and both leaders agreed during their 40-minute call that there is still hope for a diplomatic agreement when it came to Russia. According to a statement from Downing Street, Biden and Johnson also agreed that any incursion that Russia makes into Ukraine would lead to a crisis that would not only affect the two countries but the rest of the world as well.

Johnson reportedly told his US counterpart that the UK was prepared to do what was necessary to help. Biden reportedly assured Johnson, “We’re not going anywhere without you, pal.”

While Russia has denied planning any sort of invasion, tens of thousands of troops remain deployed in areas close to the border it shares with Ukraine. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that diplomatic efforts will continue to persist despite the number of troops at the border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has opted to approach the ongoing situation in a more calm manner, despite the warnings of the possible invasion. The US and other governments have already urged their citizens who are in Ukraine to leave as soon as possible. Zelensky ordered that February 16 be a “day of unity” among its citizens and praised the strength of the Ukrainian military.

Zelensky has also said that he wants the issues to be resolved through negotiations and diplomacy.

In other related news, Biden praised the recent development of the legal battle that occurred between the families of those who were killed in the Sandy Hook shooting and gun manufacturer Remington Arms. In a statement released by the White House, Biden said that the settlement from the legal battle is a step towards holding gun manufacturers and dealers accountable.

“This progress is the result of the perseverance of nine families who turned tragedy into purpose. They have demonstrated that state and city consumer protection laws – like Connecticut’s Unfair Trade Practices Act – provide an opportunity to hold gun manufacturers and dealers accountable for wrongdoing despite the persistence of the federal immunity shield for these companies,” said Biden.