President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by phone on Sunday, discussing the ongoing tensions in Russia.
Zelensky tweeted a statement that he spoke with Biden, calling it a “positive and inspiring” chat.
“We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored,” Zelensky said on Twitter.
The White House later confirmed the conversation between the two leaders.
“They discussed Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid,” the White House said in a statement. “The leaders also discussed recent events in Russia.”
The call comes after a weekend of crisis in Moscow. Wagner Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led a rebellion against Russian President Vladimir Putin but said Saturday he ordered his forces to halt their advance on Moscow and turn back in order to avoid “spilling Russian blood.”
“Understanding all the responsibility for spilling Russian blood we turn back our columns to our field camps, according to the plan,” Prigozhin said.
Prigozhin’s comments come as Belarus, a Russian ally, announced they had reach a deal to stop the assault and avoid anymore bloodshed.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said in a statement that he helped broker a deal with Prigozhin to halt the march to Moscow.
Zelensky called the armed rebellion “complete chaos” and added “the masters of Russia do not control anything,” according to a translation.
“Ukraine will definitely be able to protect Europe from any Russian forces — and it does not matter who commands them. We will protect,” he said.
Russian state media said Saturday the criminal case against Prigozhin would be dropped.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan canceled a previously planned trip to Denmark amid the situation in Russia, the White House said. Sullivan briefed President Joe Biden and traveled with him to Camp David.
