UK and US leaders agree 'crucial window for diplomacy' remains amid Ukraine-Russia tensions
The Prime Minister and US President have agreed there remains a "crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine" in a call on Monday evening, Number 10 has said.
In a readout of a call between Boris Johnson and Joe Biden, a Downing Street spokesperson said the two world leaders also reiterated the need for European countries to reduce their dependence on Russian gas.
They added this would be "a move which, more than any other, would strike at the heart of Russia's strategic interests".
"The Prime Minister and President Biden updated one another on their recent discussions with fellow world leaders," the spokesperson said.
"They agreed there remained a crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine.
Watch: NATO holds its breath over possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"The leaders emphasised that any further incursion into Ukraine would result in a protracted crisis for Russia, with far reaching damage for both Russia and the world.
"They agreed that western allies must remain united in the face of Russian threats, including imposing a significant package of sanctions should Russian aggression escalate.
"The Prime Minister and President Biden agreed to remain in close contact as the situation evolves."
Russia has continued to deny it is planning to invade Ukraine.
Moscow has accused the UK and US of a propaganda campaign and insisted it was ready to continue talks.
The call between Mr Johnson and Mr Biden comes after Armed Forces Minister James Heappey warned a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen at any moment.
Mr Heappey described the massing of roughly 130,000 Russian troops along the Ukrainian border as a "credible force set to do something imminently".
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