US President Joe Biden confirmed his willingness to speak with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, this Thursday, if it serves to advance an end to the war in Ukraine. He stated at a White House press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron that he is ready to talk to Putin if the Russian leader decides to pursue a path toward resolving the conflict.
Biden indicated that any potential discussion with Putin would take place within a framework of consultations with France and other NATO allies. He noted that Russian signals had yet to show any openness to such a dialogue. He emphasized that the path to diplomacy would require concrete steps from Moscow and a shared readiness to seek a way out of the current crisis.
Macron underscored that readiness to negotiate must come from both sides and that no agreement should be forced on Ukraine. He reiterated that legitimate preconditions from Ukraine’s leadership, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, must be respected. The French leader stressed that lasting peace can only arise if the Ukrainian people themselves define the terms and conditions of any settlement. Negotiations would be guided by the realities on the ground in Ukraine and the future security architecture of Europe.
According to Biden, the discussions with French and other allies reaffirmed a united front among the United States, France, and European partners in standing against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. This solidarity extends to the European Union and the G7, with a shared objective of supporting Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The US president admitted that the violence and destruction of the conflict exceeded expectations and highlighted the severe toll on civilians. He asserted that Moscow will not achieve its aims by intimidation or force, pointing to the damage done to civilian infrastructure, energy sectors in Europe, and the broader humanitarian and economic impacts. He made clear that the attempt to coerce Ukraine through violence would fail, and that the international community remains committed to deterring aggression and supporting Ukraine’s resilience.
Both leaders reaffirmed their determination to hold Russia accountable for documented atrocities and war crimes while maintaining coordinated efforts with international partners to deliver aid to Ukraine. The alliance continues to monitor the situation closely and to adapt its contributions in response to evolving needs on the ground. At the same time, the partners reiterated that diplomacy remains a viable channel should Russia demonstrate a genuine willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations and to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and decision-making authority.