WASHINGTON(Washington Insider Magazine) -According to the office of French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden have consented in principle to meet to address the crisis in Ukraine.
The move, which came after Macron spoke to both presidents separately and was published in a statement by the Élysée Palace, appeared to call into doubt the timing of Putin’s widely predicted invasion of Ukraine.
However, sources, including 2 White House officials, claimed that a final determination on such a meeting would be reached only after further conversations among Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
According to the sources, the Biden administration has stated repeatedly that it is willing to meet with Putin, before underscoring nothing has really changed about the US view that a Russian attack on Ukraine is likely.
Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, stated as much in a statement on the upcoming summit.
The content of the meeting will be prepared by Lavrov and Blinken during a previously arranged meeting on Thursday, according to the palace.
A senior US official and a source familiar with the situation said early Sunday that the US had gotten intelligence indicating that Russian military officers had been given orders to proceed with an invasion.
According to the persons, the newly produced intelligence inspired Biden’s surprising remark Friday that the US suspects Putin has already prepared to invade.
The United States subsequently saw Russian military troops take preparations to carry out the command in readiness for an invasion, adding to the belief that Putin may strike at any time.
After days of the US indicating it didn’t believe Russia had made a final judgment, Biden’s declaration signified a turnaround. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that he concurred with Biden that Moscow had chosen to invade and that Russia’s army was now in the position to attack.
Despite peace negotiations by Blinken and Vice President Harris at a significant yearly security summit in Munich, White House officials claim the danger level in eastern Ukraine and all along the Russian border hasn’t decreased over the weekend. Biden’s advisers told him again on Saturday that Russia may invade Ukraine at any time, according to the White House.
According to the White House, Biden conducted an unusual weekend briefing of the National Security Council centered on Ukraine on Sunday. According to NBC NEWS, Blinken and Austin, who had just returned from Europe, were seen approaching the West Wing just before noon.