President Putin Asks President Biden For Security Guarantees To Block NATO Expansion On Russia's Borders

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin made a request to US President Joe Biden for legally binding security guarantees that would override NATO expansion, the Kremlin said on Tuesday after virtual talks between the two leaders.

Speaking for two hours with President Biden via video call, President Putin said NATO was strengthening its military potential near Russia's borders and was "making dangerous attempts to conquer Ukrainian territory," the Kremlin said in a statement.

"Therefore, Russia is very interested in obtaining reliable and legal guarantees that rule out NATO's eastward expansion, as well as the deployment of offensive attack weapons systems in countries adjacent to Russia," the Kremlin said.

Russian authorities have said NATO's growing relationship with Ukraine and the alliance's possible deployment of targeted missiles against Russia is a "red line" it will not be allowed to cross.

On the occasion, President Putin also told President Biden he wanted assurances that offensive strike systems would not be deployed in countries close to Russia, the Kremlin said.

To note, the talks were held as the West voiced concern that Russia would invade Ukraine, warning of "strong economic and other measures" as punishment if Moscow started a military conflict.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin, which said before Tuesday's meeting that it did not expect a breakthrough, has denied harboring any intention to attack Ukraine and said its position was defensive.