On December 30, 2021, Putin and Biden engaged in a telephone conversation, as a prelude to the expected January 10, 2022 talks that will take place in Geneva, Switzerland.
It is key to understand the importance of diplomacy in this types of situations. Russia is very serious with respect to the potential entry of Ukraine in NATO and it considers it a "red line". Diplomacy will enable the Western powers understand why this is a "red line" and why it would be better that NATO stops expanding eastwards. The Western powers will probably make the case for the free determination of countries to decide to which alliance they belong and the free determination of the alliance to accept the country. Diplomacy is the only way to achieve a negotiated solution.
The alternatives to diplomacy are military action and economic sanctions. Both do not contribute to the construction of a civilized community of nations.