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US contacted Russia before Biden’s visit to avoid conflict — agency

It is noted that basic communication with the Russians occurred to ensure deconfliction

NEW YORK, February 20. /TASS/. Washington got in touch with Moscow shortly before US President Joe Biden’s visit to Ukraine in a bid to avoid any possible conflict situations, Associated Press said on Monday citing the White House.

According to the White House, "basic communication with the Russians occurred to ensure deconfliction" shortly ahead of Biden’s visit to rule out any possible miscalculations that could lead to a conflict between the two nuclear powers, it said.

The news agency noted that such a visit is a rare occurrence because US presidents do not typically visit conflict zones where the United States doesn’t control airspace. There is no US military presence in Ukraine save for a small contingent of marines who safeguard the US embassy in Kiev.

According to the agency, US Boeing E-3 Sentry and Boeing RC-135 spy aircraft were in the air while Biden was staying in Ukraine.

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