Biden agrees to meet Putin as long as Russia does not invade Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed in principle to a summit over Ukraine offering a possible path out of one of the most dangerous European crises in decades.
White Hosue has made clear that the meeting would occur “provided Russia does not proceed with military action.”
President Biden has repeatedly said that the United States is committed to pursuing diplomacy until the moment an invasion begins, White Hosue said.
The meeting would take place after U.S. Secretary of State Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov are scheduled to meet later this week in Europe.
“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,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
“And currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon” the United States has warned.
Russia’s buildup of military personnel in and around Ukraine is estimated to be around 190,000, according to the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).