Biden and Putin agree to meet 'in principle' over Ukraine as tensions grow

Meeting will go forward on the 'condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine': French presidency.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed in principle to a summit over Ukraine, U.S. and French leaders said, offering a possible path out from one of the most dangerous European crises in decades.

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on Monday he had pitched both leaders on a summit over "security and strategic stability in Europe." The White House said in a statement that Biden had accepted the meeting "in principle" but only "if an invasion hasn't happened." "We are always ready for diplomacy," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.