Biden warns Putin of 'strong' Western response to any Ukraine attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with US President Joe Biden ahead of their talks in Geneva in June 2021

US President Joe Biden warned President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday of "strong" Western economic blowback against any Russian attack on Ukraine, while the Kremlin leader demanded guarantees that the NATO alliance keep clear of Russia.

In its own readout, the Kremlin said Putin blamed NATO for tensions in Ukraine and insisted on "legal guarantees" against the Western military alliance expanding its forces any closer to Russia.