President Joe Biden said that he would be willing to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about Russia’s increasingly dire quagmire in Ukraine, but only to find out what the Kremlin needs to end the invasion, the New York Times reports.
In a news conference after a three-hour meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Biden said he would not negotiate an end to the invasion; the discussion would center on Russia’s requirements to get them to leave Ukraine. Biden has repeatedly stated that he will not negotiate with Russia on behalf of Ukraine and that Ukraine must have a seat at the table regarding any conditions.
“I’m prepared if he’s willing to talk to find out what he’s willing to do,” Biden said. “But I’ll only do it in consultation with my NATO allies. I’m not going to do it on my own.”