WASHINGTON, D.C.: Efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine via a frenzy of telephone diplomacy failed to ease tensions on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), with the White House insisting that Russia faces 'swift and severe costs' if its troops carry out an invasion.
LAST-DITCH EFFORT This combination of file pictures created on June 7, 2021 shows
then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden (left) speaking in Darby, Pennsylvania on June 17, 2020, and
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking during a meeting with Russian athletes and team members at the
Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Jan. 31, 2018. A call on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, between
President Biden and his Kremlin counterpart Putin on the Russian troops massing next to Ukraine ended after
one hour and two minutes, the White House said. ‘President Biden’s secure call with Russian President Putin was
completed at 12:06 p.m.’ (1706 GMT), an official said. The call started at 1604 GMT. AFP PHOTO
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