Paris [France], February 21 (ANI): US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed on the principle of a summit proposed by France President Emmanuel Macron to discuss security and strategic stability in Europe, Elysee Palace said. The development came after Macron held telephonic calls with Putin twice in the day and also spoke with Biden on the Ukraine situation. According to a release by Elysee on Sunday, President Macron “proposed a summit to be held between President Biden and President Putin and then with relevant stakeholders to discuss security and strategic stability in Europe.”
Biden and Putin have both accepted the principle of such a summit, read the statement. The statement further said that the substance of such a summit will have to be prepared by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their meeting on February 24. However, it can only be held on the condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine, the statement said further. As per the release by Elysee Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic, the French President will work with all stakeholders to prepare the content of these discussions.
Earlier on Sunday, Macron spoke with Biden and Putin on the Ukraine situation. Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin also had an in-depth discussion of the developments around Ukraine as well as developments regarding long-term legal security guarantees for the Russian Federation, said Kremlin in its statement on Sunday.
In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an “invasion”. Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO’s military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security.
Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory.
Biden speaks with Macron, discusses diplomacy, deterrence efforts in response to Russian military build-up
US President Joe Biden spoke with France President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday where they discussed ongoing diplomacy and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s military build-up on the borders of Ukraine. “President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President Emmanuel Macron of France today. They discussed ongoing diplomacy and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s military buildup on the borders of Ukraine,” said White House in its press release.
Earlier, on February 6 as well, both sides discussed the Ukraine situation over the phone. “President Joe Biden spoke today with President Emmanuel Macron of France. The leaders discussed ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s continued military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, and affirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the White House said in February 6 statement.
Biden on Sunday also held a meeting of the National Security Council over the situation around Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin along with the other members of NSC were present during the meeting. Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin also had an in-depth discussion of the developments around Ukraine as well as developments regarding long-term legal security guarantees for the Russian Federation, said Kremlin in its statement on Sunday.
Russia has also warned Western countries that military deliveries to Kyiv may encourage the latter to use them against the breakaway Russian-speaking region of Donbas.
US confirms meeting between Blinken, Lavrov, provided ‘Russia doesn’t choose war’
Washington [US], February 21 (ANI): The US has affirmed its commitment to pursue diplomacy in the Ukraine situation as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are scheduled to meet later this week in Europe. Reiterating its commitment to handling the situation diplomatically, the US confirmed the meeting between Blinken and Lavrov, according to a statement released by the White House.
However, it asserted that the said meeting will take place only if Russia does not proceed with the military action. The statement added that following this engagement, US President Joe Biden has accepted in principle a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin only if Russia does not invade Ukraine.
The White House also warned Russia of consequences should the latter choose war. “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,” read the statement.
In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an “invasion”. Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO’s military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security.
Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory.
Russia has also warned Western countries that military deliveries to Kyiv may encourage the latter to use them against the breakaway Russian-speaking region of Donbas. (ANI)
