Headline Roundup • December 7th, 2021
Biden Warns Putin of Economic Consequences, Other Measures if Russia Invades Ukraine
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Joe Biden held a two-hour video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, amid growing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine this winter.
A White House statement said Biden “made clear that the U.S. and our Allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation,” along with supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia has recently moved tens of thousands of troops to the Ukrainian border, echoing a previous military buildup in April.
Coverage was widespread across the spectrum on Tuesday. Coverage was balanced in most outlets; in one case, a New York Post article focused on issues Biden had with his microphone, opening with the line, “Mr. President, you have to unmute yourself.”
Featured Coverage of this Story

The White House/AFP via Getty Im
Mr. President, you have to unmute yourself.
President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday opened a two-hour summit with waves hello — and some Biden virtual-meeting technical difficulties — before discussing concerns that Russia may invade Ukraine.
The Biden team closed the meeting’s start to US reporters, but Russian state media published video of an amicable introduction and the Kremlin released an image that showed Biden waving with a smile on his face.
Biden seemed to start the dialogue with his microphone muted as his lips moved without...

Pavel Golovkin/AP
President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a video call Tuesday morning focused on growing tensions over Ukraine as Russia masses troops along the border, prompting fears of a Russian invasion of the Eastern European nation.
The call began with the two leaders exchanging brief pleasantries.
“Welcome, Mr. President,” Putin said.
“Good to see you again,” Biden replied. “Last time we did not get to see each other at the G-20. I hope next time we can meet in person,” he said, referring to the recent Group of 20...
President Biden wrapped a two-hour video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday during which the U.S. president warned Moscow against invading Ukraine.
The White House said in a subsequent readout that Biden “voiced the deep concerns of the United States and our European Allies about Russia’s escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine and made clear that the U.S. and our Allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation.”
“President Biden reiterated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return...
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
CIA Chief Ratcliffe Makes Covert Trip to Moscow for Meetings With Kremlin
August 26th, 2026
Red Blue Translator
U.S.S.R.
Headline Roundup
ICE Detains Conservative Influencer Milo Yiannopoulos in Louisiana
August 28th, 2026
Headline Roundup
USAID Report Claims Over 100 UNRWA Employees Participated in October 7 Attacks
August 28th, 2026