Biden and Johnson agree ‘crucial window for diplomacy’ remains on Ukraine

The western leaders says Russia can still step back from its threats' as Germany's Olaf Scholz heads to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin

• Ukraine crisis: latest updates

Boris Johnson and Joe Biden believe there remains a crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine" after a 40-minute call between the two leaders on Monday night.

Britain said the pair emphasised the importance of unity and, while neither the UK nor the US will send troops to defend Ukraine, they insisted that any further Russian incursion would result in a protracted crisis for Russia with far-reaching damage for both Russia and the world".