United States President Joe Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, which counts as the first phone call between the two since the American president took office, the White House confirmed.
Relations between the two nations have been rocky, exacerbated in the era of former President Donald Trump's tenuous relationship with the Kremlin.
"President Biden made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us or our allies," the White House said in a statement. "The two presidents agreed to maintain transparent and consistent communication going forward."
Biden discussed a five-year extension to the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty, "agreeing to have their teams work urgently to complete the extension by February 5," the White House said.
Biden also reaffirmed the U.S.'s "firm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty," raised concerns over the Solar Winds hack on the federal government that has been linked by U.S. officials to Russia, and media reports of Russia placing bounties on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
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