Russia-Ukraine conflict: Biden-Putin agree to meet on one condition, key highlights

Following a telephonic call from French President Emmanuel Macron, Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin have concurred to talk about security and strategic capability in Europe. The French President suggested a summit between Biden and Putin and then with relevant stakeholders.

Both US and Russia have welcomed the principle of such a summit, a release by Elysee Palace, the official residence of the president of the French Republic said, adding 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 meet on 24 February,

It asserted that the summit can only be held at the condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine. The French President, it says, will work with stakeholders.

Key Highlights:

1) After a release by Elysee Palace, the White House also confirmed that Biden has agreed in principle to the meeting only if Moscow does not invade Ukraine.

2) The White House Press Secretary said in a statement,“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”,

3) “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,” Jen Psaki added.

4) After a telephonic call with the French President, Putin blamed Ukraine — incorrectly, according to observers there — for the escalation of shelling along the contact line and NATO for “pumping modern weapons and ammunition” into Ukraine.

5) Macron, a leader in European efforts to bring a peaceful resolution with Russia, also spoke separately to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and to Joe Biden.

6) On Saturday, France urged all its citizens in Ukraine to pull out of the country and advised citizens to postpone their trip there.

7) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for a ceasefire. Russia has dismissed plans to annex, but the Kremlin did not respond to Zelenskyy’s offer Saturday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

8) The US Embassy in Moscow issued an advisory urging greater caution by Americans in Russia overall. Have evacuation plans that do not rely on US government assistance, it warned.

9) New Delhi also asked the families of officials posted at the Indian Embassy in Kyiv to move back to India. The Indian government had also issued an advisory urging its citizens to temporarily leave Ukraine due to escalating military tension along the eastern border with Russia.

10) “In view of the continued high levels of tensions and uncertainties with respect to the situation in Ukraine, all Indian nationals whose stay is not deemed essential and all Indian students, are advised to leave Ukraine temporarily,” the Indian embassy in Ukraine tweeted.

Also Read: Russia-Ukraine Conflict: As crisis escalates Middle East countries will be forced to pick a side