US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to hold a summit to discuss Ukraine and issues related to strategic stability and security in Europe.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are slated to meet on Thursday, February 24, to begin the diplomatic effort.
“It can only be held at the condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine,” the memo issued by President Emmanuel Macron’s Élysée Palace said.
Biden has committed to work with all relevant stakeholders in preparation for the summit.
The move came following French President Emmanuel Macron’s brief chat with Biden, and a significantly longer call in which Macron spoke with Putin.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were also phoned by their French counterpart.
Commenting on the diplomatic pursuit, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki repeatedly stressed that the summit, as well as the Thursday Blinken-Lavrov meeting, will only proceed if no invasion occurs.
“We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war,” Psaki declared.
“And currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon.”
As Blinken meets with Lavrov later this week, Biden will conduct a same-day, virtual meeting with G7 leaders in preparation for the summit, according to the Whtie House.
This diplomatic development follows a CBS broadcast in which Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov pointed out that Russian troops are on sovereign territory and “are not threatening anyone.”
“We are not trying to seize any territory of another country. I would like to confirm that Donetsk and Lugansk are part of Ukraine,” Antonov said.
He also highlighted that the Kremlin “publicly expressed readiness to continue diplomatic efforts” regarding the situation.
Reported by Sputnik News
