Biden, Putin agree in principle to Ukraine summit

On Feb 21, 2022

U.S. President, Joe Biden and Russian President, Vladimir Putin have agreed in principle to a summit over Ukraine.

The French leader said on Monday, offering a possible path out of one of the most dangerous European crises in decades.

“The talks proposed by France will only take place if Russia does not invade its neighbour,” the White House said.

“The meeting could offer a possible diplomatic solution to one of the worst security crises in Europe in decades.”

US officials says intelligence suggests Russia is ready to launch a military operation, which Moscow denies.

The proposal was announced by the French presidency after two phone calls between President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Putin, which went on for almost three hours in total.

The second exchange happened in the early hours of Monday Moscow time, and followed a 15-minute conversation Mr Macron had with Mr Biden.

According to Macron’s office, details of the possible summit would be discussed during a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday.

The White House also said, Russia appeared to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon, and that the US was ready to impose swift and severe consequences should it happen.

Russia has massed more than 150,000 troops close to Ukraine’s borders, according to US estimates.

US company Maxar said, new satellite imagery showed multiple new field deployments of armoured equipment and troops from Russian garrisons near the border with Ukraine, indicating increased military readiness.

Kamila/Reuters