The White House confirmed that U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed “in principle” to hold a summit on Ukraine as long as the country blocks what U.S. officials say is an imminent attack on Ukraine.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement: “We are always prepared to engage in diplomacy. If Russia chooses war, we are also prepared to impose swift and severe consequences. And now, Russia appears to be continuing to prepare for an imminent full-scale attack on Ukraine. Work.”

The announcement was first made by the office of French President Emmanuel Macron, who helped broker possible talks between the two leaders. The Elysee Palace said Macron had invited the two leaders to a summit on “European Security and Strategic Stability”.

“Both President Biden and President Putin have accepted the principles of such a summit,” the statement said, before adding that such a meeting would be impossible if Russia invaded Ukraine, as feared by the West.

The news follows a series of calls between Macron and leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, after a week of heightened tensions over a Russian military buildup on the Ukrainian border.

Nerves were further jittered after the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced that Russia would extend the Belarusian military exercises that were due to end on Sunday. Satellite images appear to show a new deployment of Russian tanks and troops near Ukraine.

The White House said Biden would cancel a trip to Delaware and remain in Washington after a two-hour meeting with the National Security Council.

In Kiev, life for many went back to normal on a mild winter Sunday, offering brunch and church services before U.S. President Joe Biden said later this week that it was a Russian attack.

U.S.-based satellite imagery company Maxar reported several new deployments of Russian military units in forests, farms and industrial areas just 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Ukrainian border — a sign of what Maxar said was seen so far. The situation has changed in the past few weeks.

“Until recently, most deployments were primarily located at or near existing military fortresses and training areas,” the company said.

“Everything we’ve seen suggests this is very serious,” Blinken told CNN, adding that the West is equally prepared if Moscow invades.

“We’re going to take every opportunity and every minute to see if diplomacy can still stop President Putin from moving forward, before the tanks actually come in and the planes take off.”

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times