US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed in principle to a summit over Ukraine, US and French leaders said, offering a possible path out from one of the most dangerous European crises in decades.
The office of French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on Monday he had pitched both leaders on a summit over “security and strategic stability in Europe”. The White House said in a statement that Biden had accepted the meeting “in principle” but only “if an invasion hasn’t happened”.
“We are always ready for diplomacy,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. “We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war.”
The news comes after a week of heightened tensions spurred by Russia’s build-up all around the Ukrainian border. Russian forces have been amassing around its neighbour since late last year, something Western countries say is a prelude to an invasion.
The office of French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on Monday he had pitched both leaders on a summit over “security and strategic stability in Europe”. The White House said in a statement that Biden had accepted the meeting “in principle” but only “if an invasion hasn’t happened”.
“We are always ready for diplomacy,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. “We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war.”
The news comes after a week of heightened tensions spurred by Russia’s build-up all around the Ukrainian border. Russian forces have been amassing around its neighbour since late last year, something Western countries say is a prelude to an invasion.
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