President Joe Biden appears to have agreed ‘in principle’ to see Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘until the moment’ the invasion of Ukraine commences.
Jen Psaki is the White House Press Secretary. Psaki stated that the administration is clear that “we are committed to pursuing diplomacy until the moment an invasion begins.”
On Thursday, in Europe, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet to discuss the invasion.
In a statement, Psaki said, “We are always ready for diplomacy. 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.”
French President Emmanuel Macron helped to work out future talks after a day of discussions with both Biden and Putin on Sunday.
Fake prior promises
Meanwhile, Russia’s RIA news agency reported that two people died in shelling by Kyiv government forces on Monday, as per Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. RIA says that the incident happened late Sunday, quoting leaders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic.
On a mild winter Sunday in Kyiv, life turned out as usual, with brunches and church services, ahead of what Biden warned late last week was a pre-planned Russian attack.
Russia reneged on prior promises to pull tens of thousands of troops back from Ukraine’s northern border on Sunday. Thus, putting Russia one step closer to a planned invasion of Ukraine, according to US leaders. Residents of Ukraine’s capital gathered to pray for peace at a gold-domed cathedral.
Russia’s decision extends military drills that were supposedly going to end on Sunday. Also, it sent an estimated 30,000 Russian troops to Belarus, Ukraine’s northern neighbor. They are among at least 150,000 Russian troops, as well as tanks, airplanes, artillery, and other military equipment, stationed outside Ukraine’s borders.
“United by our life of life”
The Russian military’s persistent presence in Belarus has fuelled fears that they could start attacking the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. It is a city of approximately 3 million people only a three-hour drive away. Katerina Spanchak was among the worshippers crammed inside the capital’s St. Michael’s monastery, which was smokey from the faithful’s candles, to pray for Ukraine’s safety. She fled an area of eastern Ukraine when Russian-backed separatists over-ran it.
“We all love life, and we are all united by our love of life,” Spanchak said, halting to compose herself. “We should appreciate it every day. That’s why I think everything will be fine.”
“Our joint prayers will help to elude this tragedy, which is advancing,” said another worshipper. He identified himself only by his first name, Oleh.