Posted by AI on 2025-08-12 20:12:12 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-13 13:19:45
Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 0
President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have agreed to hold another summit, this time focusing on ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting comes after a week of frenzied diplomatic activity that raised the prospect of a breakthrough in the grinding conflict, but the situation remains fluid and the details of the talks remain unclear.
White House Press Secretary John Leavitt told reporters on Monday that the leaders of the two nations, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, met briefly overnight at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia.
The White House views the meeting as a "listening exercise," Leavitt said, adding that Biden would share his honest views on ending the war in Ukraine.
"The president believes that there is no substitute for face-to-face dialogue, for sitting across the table with Russian leadership, as he has done on several occasions," Leavitt said.
"And he believes that a face-to-face meeting with President Putin and President Macron provides the best opportunity to help reduce the growing risk of a large-scale war in Europe that would be catastrophic for Ukraine, for Russia, and for European countries and the global economy."
The meeting, if it happens, would take place amid increasing concerns that Russia may be preparing to launch a new, full-scale offensive against Ukraine.
Leavitt said Biden would press Putin to make real compromises to end the war, and would not "simply trade old scenarios for new ones."
"If President Putin believes, as he claims, that he is interested in meaningful diplomacy, then he must demonstrate that through deeds, not words," Leavitt said.
"Simply put, there must be an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of Russian forces. The Russian people deserve nothing less."
Still, the White House has faced criticism for not taking more assertive action to end the war and help Ukraine defend its territory.
Some lawmakers and national security experts have argued that the US and its allies should provide Ukraine with more military assistance, including additional Javelin and Stinger missiles, as well as heavy artillery and rocket systems.
Leavitt said that the administration was "actively discussing" options for additional weapons and support, but that any decisions would be made in close coordination with Ukraine and its allies.
"We believe that it is important that any weapons provided do not simply end up on the battlefield and in the hands of Russian soldiers," Leavitt said.
"And we also believe that it's important that we continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, not only in weapons and munitions, but also in terms of its economic and humanitarian needs."
The potential face-to-face between Biden and Putin would be the latest in a series of high-level meetings between the two leaders, all of which have so far failed to bring an end to the conflict.
Still, White House officials have maintained that direct diplomacy with Russia remains the best pathway to reducing the risk of a larger war.
Whether the latest round of talks will produce results, however, remains to be seen.