The virtual summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden on Dec 7, 2021 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

According to the Kremlin, the two presidents discussed restrictions on diplomats, Ukraine issue, the implementation of agreements reached at the Russia-US summit in Geneva in June, cyber security, and the Iran nuclear issue. The Kremlin described the online summit as "frank and professional", during which President Putin proposed to President Biden that Russia and the US lift all restrictions on their diplomatic missions.

In a statement after the call, the White House said Biden “voiced deep concern” on the part of the US and its European allies about the Ukraine issue and made clear they “would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation”. The presidents also discussed the US-Russia dialogue on Strategic Stability, a separate dialogue on ransomware as well as joint work on regional issues such as Iran.