President Joe Biden has told Russian president Vladimir Putin that the US and its allies would respond with “strong economic and other measures” if Russia invaded Ukraine.
Mr Putin, 68, was joined by defence minister Sergei Shoigu, his regular holiday companion, for the short break earlier this month.
Vladimir Putin’s party United Russia has posted worse-than-expected results in the country’s parliamentary elections, despite months of voter suppression and intimidation tactics geared towards minimising turnout.
Vladimir Putin said he hoped that Joe Biden would be less impulsive than his predecessor but warned US-Russian relations were at their lowest point in years ahead of the leaders’ first meeting.
