Besides, Blinken and Lavrov should meet.
US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to hold a summit to discuss security and strategic stability in Europe. This format was proposed to the leaders of the two countries by French President Emmanuel Macron, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to RBC-Ukraine.
France reports that Macron « President Putin, and then with relevant stakeholders to discuss security and strategic stability in Europe».
«Presidents Biden and Putin both accepted the principle of such a summit»,— the report says.
It is specified that holding such a summit will be possible only if Russia does not invade Ukraine. Materials for the summit are to be prepared after U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on February 24.
The White House confirmed that the U.S. President agrees to a meeting with Putin, provided that Russia does not invade Ukraine. They noted that such a meeting would take place after the meeting between Blinken and Lavrov in Europe.
«President Biden agreed in principle to meet with President Putin after that meeting, again, provided there was no invasion. We are always ready for diplomacy. We are also prepared for quick and harsh consequences if Russia chooses war instead. And at present, Russia seems to be continuing preparations for a full-scale attack on Ukraine in the near future»,— The White House said in a statement.
Recall that the US Secretary of State also confirmed Biden's readiness for negotiations. According to him, a meeting between the US President and Putin is possible if there is no Russian invasion of Ukraine.