Biden and Putin hold talks as tensions mount over Ukraine crisis

US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held more talks (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin have spoken about the Russian troop build-up near Ukraine during their second call in recent weeks.

Ahead of the conversation on Thursday, the White House indicated that Mr Biden would make clear to Mr Putin that a diplomatic path remains open even as the Russians have moved an estimated 100,000 troops towards Ukraine and Mr Putin has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe.