US President Biden Addresses Kiev’s Land Concession Question and Ukraine’s Autonomy
During a press conference broadcast from Brussels, US President Joe Biden stated that land concession decisions are the prerogative of Kiev. He emphasized that Ukraine is not obligated to make such moves and that the United States is not a party to the negotiations. The President underscored that the ultimate decision rests with Ukraine itself.
“This is purely Ukraine’s prerogative. You cannot discuss Ukraine without Ukraine’s participation,” he noted in response to a journalist’s question. “I believe they do not have to take this step, but the decision is theirs to make.”
Concerns About Food Security
Biden warned that events in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia could trigger a global food crisis, because both nations are central to Europe’s food supply. He observed that the sanctions’ costs extend beyond Russia to many countries, including Europe and the United States. The topic had been a long-standing item on G7 discussions.
The President highlighted that the United States is among the world’s top wheat producers, with Canada also ranking as a major producer. He described ongoing talks about increasing and distributing food more rapidly to prevent famine and noted that loosening food-export restrictions had been placed on the agenda during the meeting.
Russia’s Exclusion from the G20
Biden called for Russia’s exclusion from the G20, while acknowledging that some participants did not agree. He argued that if Russia remains included, Ukraine should also be granted a voice at the meetings and the opportunity to participate in the summits.
“This issue was discussed today. I also suggested the possibility that this may not happen. If Indonesia and other countries cannot agree, we should consider allowing Ukraine to attend the G20 meetings and to visit the summit,” Biden stated.
Anticipated Sanctions and Western Unity
The American leader acknowledged that sanctions do not act as a deterrent by themselves, but emphasized the need for the West to maintain a united front. He affirmed a NATO meeting was requested to ensure continued actions over the coming months and the remainder of the year.
He also expressed doubt that current NATO decisions would compel Russia to change its approach toward Ukraine. “If Putin believes Europe will remain divided in a short span, he might press ahead for another month. Yet Western nations must stand firm in unity,” stated the President.
Response to Potential Chemical Weapons Use
Asked how Washington would react if Moscow resorted to chemical weapons, the President replied that a response would occur, with the exact form depending on the nature of the use. When asked whether Vladimir Putin might be prepared to use chemical weapons, the President declined to disclose intelligence information. If a military response becomes necessary, it would be proportionate.
Democratic Efficacy Under Scrutiny
Biden remarked that Russian officials appear intent on proving the inefficiency of Western democracies. He suggested that President Vladimir Putin aims to show that democracies struggle to reach rapid consensus in the face of rapid change, allowing autocracies to gain ground. Moscow’s strategy, he argued, is to test NATO’s unity and to seek a landscape where a dozen independent voices are harder to align than thirty synchronized partners.
Western leaders gathered in Brussels for three concurrent summits—NATO, the European Union, and the G7. The discussions centered on Ukraine’s ongoing crisis and the broader implications for security and economic stability in Europe and beyond.
In these remarks, the administration communicated a clear stance on Ukraine’s sovereignty, alliance solidarity, and the international response to Moscow’s moves. The dialogue reflects ongoing efforts to coordinate policy, humanitarian relief, and strategic deterrence across North America, Europe, and allied partners in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, as tracked by observers and analysts reporting on the briefing at the time.