The “Kremlin” rejects Biden’s conditions for holding talks with Putin to end the war

America and France pledge to hold Russia accountable for what is happening in Ukraine

Biden and Macron have expressed their desire to come together to end the war in Ukraine.

Reuters

US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, issued a joint statement after their meeting in Washington, during Macron's first visit to the United States after the start of the Biden-Harris administration.

Biden and Macron strongly condemned Russia's aggressive and illegal war on Ukraine, and affirmed that deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime and its perpetrators should be held accountable. They also condemn and reject Russia's attempt to illegally annex sovereign Ukrainian lands, which constitutes a clear violation of international law.

The two Presidents reaffirmed their countries' continued support for Ukraine's defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including by providing political, security, humanitarian and economic assistance to Ukraine no matter what it takes.

Biden and Macron also affirmed their firm determination to hold Russia accountable for the widely documented atrocities and war crimes committed by Russian forces and their proxies, including entities like the Wagner Group and others.

Biden also said he was willing to talk directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war, if he withdraws his forces from Ukraine to bring an end to the conflict.

"I'm willing to talk to Putin if he's looking for a way to end the war," Biden added.

He continued: I would be pleased to sit down with Putin and see what he thinks.

He hasn't done that yet.

In Moscow, the Kremlin rejected yesterday the conditions mentioned by the US president, who said he was ready to talk to Putin if he withdraws his forces from Ukraine to put an end to the conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "Biden practically said that negotiations will only be possible after Putin leaves Ukraine," which "Moscow clearly rejects."

He added that President Putin would continue the military operation in Ukraine, but at the same time he was open to negotiations.

"The special military operation in Ukraine continues, but at the same time it is also important that Putin was and remains open to communication in order to conduct negotiations," Peskov was quoted by the "Bloomberg" news agency as saying.

He added, "Of course, the best way to achieve our interests will be through diplomatic means."

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