US President Joe Biden has agreed ‘in principle’ to meet with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ‘until the moment’ Ukraine invasion begins, the White House said late Sunday.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the President repeatedly made clear, the administration is committed to pursuing diplomacy until the moment an invasion begins.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet later this week in Europe provided Russia does not proceed with military action, Psaki said.
In a statement, Psaki said, “President Biden accepted in principle a meeting with President Putin following that engagement, again, if an invasion hasn’t happened. We are always ready for diplomacy. We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war. And currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon.”
Earlier on Sunday, President Biden spoke with President Emmanuel Macron of France. They discussed ongoing diplomacy and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s military buildup on the borders of Ukraine, the White House said.
French President Emmanuel Macron has helped in brokering the potential talks after a day of talks with the two leaders on Sunday.
Macron again spoke with his Russian counterpart Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for an hour on Sunday evening, for the second time that day, after speaking to US President Joe Biden, the Elysee said in a statement.
The French president proposed a summit between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, which was accepted by both parties and which “can only be held if Russia does not invade Ukraine”.
It would then be extended to “all stakeholders” and would focus on “security and strategic stability in Europe”, said the French presidency, adding that it will begin to be prepared this Thursday between the United States and Russia.
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