Western leaders urge Russia to cool Ukraine tensions ahead of Biden-Putin call

Biden to warn Putin of toughest sanctions yet if Russia invades Ukraine.

Biden and Putin will hold a call to deal with military tensions over Ukraine.

Western leaders have called on Russia to lower tensions with Ukraine ahead of a high-stakes call between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Washington will warn Moscow about its build-up of troops and against any invasion.

US officials said Biden will use a video conference with Putin later on Tuesday to tell him that Russia will be hit with the toughest economic sanctions yet if it invades Ukraine.

They said the sanctions, which said could target Russia‘s biggest banks and Moscow’s ability to convert roubles into dollars and other currencies, were designed to dissuade Putin from using thousands of troops massed near the Ukrainian border to attack.

A senior US official said Biden would warn Putin of severe economic penalties if he launches a war.

Putin has said he wants legally binding guarantees NATO will not expand further eastwards and a pledge that certain types of weapons will not be deployed in countries close to Russia, including Ukraine.

Biden and Putin will hold a call to deal with military tensions over Ukraine