With Russia: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. They discussed both countries’ willingness to extend New START for five years, agreeing to have their teams work urgently to complete the extension by February 5. They also agreed to explore strategic stability discussions on a range of arms control and emerging security issues. President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ firm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. He also raised other matters of concern, including the SolarWinds hack, reports of Russia placing bounties on United States soldiers in Afghanistan, interference in the 2020 United States election, and the poisoning of Aleksey Navalny. President Biden made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm USA or its allies. The two presidents agreed to maintain transparent and consistent communication going forward.

With Japan: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan to discuss the policy issues and global challenges that Japan and the United States will face together. They discussed the U.S.-Japan alliance and affirmed its importance as the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders also discussed the United States’ unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan under Article 5 of our security treaty, which includes the Senkaku Islands. President Biden reaffirmed to the Prime Minister his commitment to provide extended deterrence to Japan. They discussed regional security issues, including China and North Korea. They together affirmed the necessity of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the early resolution of the abductions issue. They committed to working together on response to curb the global COVID-19 pandemic, address climate change, and advance shared values, global security and prosperity.

With India: National Security Advisor Sullivan spoke by phone with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden’s commitment to a strong and enduring U.S-India strategic partnership based on U.S-India’s shared commitment to democracy. They discussed the importance of continuing close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, promoting regional security, and renewing efforts to collaborate on global challenges, including COVID-19 and climate change.

With NATO: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The President thanked the Secretary General for his steadfast leadership of the Alliance, and conveyed his intention to consult and work with allies on the full range of shared security concerns , including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Russia. President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty and underscored his commitment to strengthening transatlantic security.  The President also emphasized the importance of shared values, consultation, and capabilities to strengthen deterrence and counter new and emerging threats, including climate change and global health security.

With Germany: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, conveying his desire to deepen relations between our countries. He expressed his intention to revitalize the transatlantic alliance, including through NATO and with the European Union, as the cornerstone of collective security and shared democratic values. The leaders agreed to work together on common foreign policy priorities, including Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, and the Western Balkans. The leaders also agreed on the importance of global cooperation, including via renewed American commitment to multilateral organizations, on combating climate change, containing COVID-19 and advancing health security, and pursuing a sustainable global economic recovery.

With France: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President Emmanuel Macron of France to express his desire to strengthen bilateral ties with its oldest ally. President Biden also stressed his commitment to bolstering the transatlantic relationship, including through NATO and the United States’ partnership with the European Union. The leaders agreed on the need for close coordination, including through multilateral organizations, in tackling common challenges such as climate change, COVID-19, and the global economic recovery.  They also agreed to work together on shared foreign policy priorities, including China, the Middle East, Russia, and the Sahel.

With United Kingdom: President Joseph R. Biden spoke with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. The President conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship between both the countries and revitalize transatlantic ties, underscoring the critical role of NATO to our collective defense and shared values. President Biden also noted the importance of cooperation, including through multilateral organizations, on shared challenges such as combatting climate change, containing COVID-19, and ensuring global health security. He noted his readiness to work closely with Prime Minister Johnson as the United Kingdom hosts the G-7 and United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this year. The leaders also discussed the need for coordination on shared foreign policy priorities, including China, Iran, and Russia.

With Israel: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone with Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and expressed appreciation for Ben Shabbat’s contributions to our bilateral partnership. They discussed opportunities to enhance the partnership over the coming months, including by building on the success of Israel’s normalization arrangements with UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Mr. Sullivan confirmed the United States will closely consult with Israel on all matters of regional security. He also extended an invitation to begin a strategic dialogue in the near term to continue substantive discussions.

With Mexico: President Biden spoke with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to review bilateral cooperation on a range of bilateral and regional issues, particularly regional migration. The President outlined his plan to reduce migration by addressing its root causes, increasing resettlement capacity and lawful alternative immigration pathways, improving processing at the border to adjudicate requests for asylum, and reversing the previous administration’s draconian immigration policies. The two leaders agreed to work closely to stem the flow of irregular migration to Mexico and the United States, as well as to promote development in the Northern Triangle of Central America. They also recognized the importance of coordination to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

With Canada: President Biden spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his first call to a foreign leader as President of the United States, highlighting the strategic importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship and reinvigorating our bilateral cooperation on an ambitious and wide-ranging agenda, including combating the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening economic ties, defense, and global leadership to address the pressing challenge of climate change. The President acknowledged Prime Minister Trudeau’s disappointment regarding the decision to rescind the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, and reaffirmed his commitment to maintain an active bilateral dialogue and to further deepen cooperation with Canada. The President and the Prime Minister discussed their shared vision to promote a sustainable economic recovery and to work together to achieve a net-zero emissions future, including through advancements in the automotive sector. The two leaders agreed to speak again in a month to continue to build out our bilateral cooperation.

With South Korea: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone with Republic of Korea National Security Advisor Suh Hoon. Mr. Sullivan stressed the Biden administration’s commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance. They discussed the importance of close coordination on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as on other regional and global challenges including COVID-19 and combating climate change.

With Afghanistan: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spokewith Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib regarding the U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Afghan partnership and to peace for all the people of Afghanistan. Mr. Sullivan underscored that the U.S. will support the peace process with a robust and regional diplomatic effort, which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire. Mr. Sullivan also made clear the United States’ intention to review the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement, including to assess whether the Taliban was living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders. He expressed America’s desire that all Afghan leaders embrace this historic opportunity for peace and stability. The National Security Advisors discussed the United States’ support for protecting the extraordinary gains made by Afghan women, girls, and minority groups as part of the peace process. Mr. Sullivan committed to consulting closely with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO allies, and regional partners regarding a collective strategy to support a stable, sovereign, and secure future for Afghanistan.

Source: White House Official Website.