by Jasper Ward
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on Saturday, the White House said, as rebel Russian mercenaries swept towards Moscow after capturing a southern city overnight.
“The leaders discussed the situation in Russia. They also reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine,” a statement said.
The White House said Biden was briefed on the ongoing situation in Russia by his national security team on Saturday morning, adding that the president will continue to brief him throughout the day.
A spokesman for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that during the conversation, the four leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office made a similar commitment on Ukraine, and said the leaders “agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days”.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke to his counterparts from the G7 countries.
The move of the Wagner Group’s mercenaries presents Russian President Vladimir Putin with the first serious challenge to his grip on power in his 23-year rule.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Additional reporting by Andreas Rink and David Milliken; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Frances Kerry)
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