Psaki Says Biden Agreed to Meeting With Putin, ‘Provided Russia Does Not Proceed With Military Action’ in Ukraine

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White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed on Sunday reports that President Joe Biden had agreed “in principle” to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid concerns Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine.

Psaki said in a statement the France-brokered meeting will occur later this week, “provided Russia does not proceed with military action” and so long as “an invasion hasn’t happened.”

“We are always ready for diplomacy,” she said. “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.”

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Macron proposed the summit and will help prepare conversation topics, but that the meeting will “only be held at the condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine.”

The substance of the meeting will be prepared by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting that was agreed upon last week.