President Biden To Hold Call With Russian President Putin

The call is scheduled for Thursday as the U.S. and Western allies have watched a buildup of Russian troops near its border with Ukraine.

President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak Thursday as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe.

The two leaders will discuss “a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements," National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement announcing the call.

The talks come as the U.S. and Western allies have watched the buildup of Russian troops near the border of Ukraine, growing to an estimated 100,000 and fueling fears that Moscow is preparing to invade Ukraine.