Biden demanded the immediate release of Navalny

- I made it clear to President Putin, unlike my predecessor, that the days when the United States would surrender in the face of Russia's aggressive actions - interference in our elections, cyber attacks, poisoning of its citizens - are over. We will not hesitate to make Russia pay and we will defend the vital interests of our people, Biden promised.

Earlier, we recall, Moscow has repeatedly denied all the accusations voiced by Biden.

The head of the White House also indicated that Washington will be "more effective" on the issue of Russia while working in "coalition with partners".

According to Biden, the United States is faced with Russia's determination to harm American leadership.

In addition, the American president demanded the "immediate and unconditional" release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, calling his imprisonment "politically motivated".

Recall that the day before, senators representing both the Democratic and the Republican parties submitted to the US Congress a bill on new sanctions against the Russian Federation due to the situation with Navalny. The construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is mentioned among the sanctions. Note that in the previous version of the document, there were no clauses demanding the release of Navalny.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia will not hesitate to impose its retaliatory sanctions if the law is passed.

Biden's first conversation as President-elect of the United States with Russian leader Vladimir Putin took place on January 27, when the head of the Russian Federation congratulated him on starting work.