Biden says he’s ready to talk to Putin – but won’t do it alone: President wants NATO allies’ support before opening communications – and insists there’s no way Russia can win in Ukraine
- Biden said he was open to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin
- But he said it must be with NATO allies and that Putin must want to end the war in Ukraine
- “I’m ready when he’s ready to talk, to find out what he’s ready to do,” Biden said during their joint White House press briefing
President Joe Biden said Thursday he was open to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin but made several reservations about such a meeting.
Biden said the meeting must be with NATO allies and that Putin must be ready to talk about ending his invasion of Ukraine.
The President, speaking at a joint White House press briefing with French President Emmanuel Macron, said he would choose his words carefully when asked to meet the Russian President.
“I have no immediate plans to contact Mr. Putin. Mr Putin is – I will choose my words very carefully, he said, pausing before continuing.
“I’m ready when he’s ready to talk, find out what he’s ready to do,” Biden said.
President Joe Biden said he was open to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin
Biden said he will only meet with Putin if the Russian president is serious about ending the war in Ukraine — over a fighter in Ukraine’s Donetsk region
“I am willing to speak to Mr. Putin if there is indeed an interest in him deciding that he is looking for a way to end the war. He hasn’t done that yet. If that’s the case, I’m happy to sit down with my NATO friends with Putin to see what he wants, has in mind. He hasn’t done that yet,’ he remarked.
Biden said the only way to end the war in Ukraine is for Putin to withdraw his troops.
“The idea that Putin will ever defeat Ukraine is unimaginable,” added the president.
During their state visit on Thursday, Biden and Macron reiterated their strong support for Ukraine.
In a joint statement released after their Oval Office talks, the two leaders said they were determined to blame Russia “for well-documented atrocities and war crimes committed by both its regular armed forces and its proxies” in Ukraine to be held accountable.