Biden agrees to meet Putin 'if an invasion hasn’t happened'

"As the President has repeatedly made clear, we are committed to pursuing diplomacy until the moment an invasion begins," Psaki stated.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: February 20, 2022 8:51pm

Updated: February 20, 2022 9:02pm

U.S. President Joe Biden has agreed "in principle" to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin so long as an invasion of Ukraine has not occurred, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a press release Sunday.

"As the President has repeatedly made clear, we are committed to pursuing diplomacy until the moment an invasion begins," Psaki stated.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Europe later this week, "provided Russia does not proceed with military action," Psaki stated.

Biden "accepted in principle" to meet with Putin after Blinken's meeting with Lavrov, "again, if an invasion hasn’t happened," Psaki reiterated.

The Biden administration has stressed diplomacy and "severe consequences" if Russia decides to invade Ukraine.

"Currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon," the press release concluded.

About 150,000 Russian troops are estimated to be surrounding Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other over the weekend of violating ceasefires in the region.