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Joe Biden in call with Russia’s Putin pressed for Navalny release, White House says
- A spokeswoman said the president did not hold back in conveying his concerns about the actions of the Russian government during the call
- Biden pressed Putin on a number of issues, including alleged interference in the 2020 election and the massive SolarWind cyber hack
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US President Joe Biden called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to release jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny during their phone call this week, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday.
Biden pressed Putin on a number of issues, including alleged interference in the 2020 election, Ukraine sovereignty, the massive SolarWind cyber hack, and Navalny.
On Thursday, Psaki had said Biden did not hold back in conveying his concerns about the actions of the Russian government during the call.
02:05
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny arrested and detained upon return to Russia after near-fatal poisoning
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny arrested and detained upon return to Russia after near-fatal poisoning
Earlier this week, a White House statement said the two leaders agreed to have their teams work urgently to complete the extension of the New START arms control pact between the US and Russia by February 5, when the current deal expires.
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The arms control treaty limits Washington and Moscow to deploying no more than 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads each.
The details about the phone call and what was discussed come at a time when Biden is adjusting US policy in a more robust way toward Russia after predecessor Donald Trump refused to take on Putin directly.
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