Jen Psaki: it’s up to President Putin to decide what choice he makes

The entire first part of Jen Psaki’s White House press briefing on Friday focused on the growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

Asked by reporters whether the White House response would be conveyed to the Kremlin about further NATO expansion, Jen Psaki said that, for now, all means should be used to maximize transparency and trust in each other’s U.S.-Russian relations, including reducing the risk of confrontation and strengthening arms control. At the same time, with regard to “the sovereign right of the Ukrainian people to create their own future with their own hands,” Psaki stressed, “there can be no room for bargaining.”

Afterwards, Psaki was asked: is a summit with Presidents Biden, Putin, and maybe even Zelensky really necessary, following the meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov?

“One way or another, President Putin and the Russians have been given a choice, right? And they are already required to decide which way they want to go. – Psaki responded,” President Biden will discuss this situation this coming weekend at Camp David with his national security team. We will also continue to consult with our allies and partners, and we will respond in writing next week. As for Biden’s role, he will discuss with Secretary Blinken and his national security team what the next steps might be. Of course, Biden appreciates leadership-level contacts, but we have yet to determine whether such a move is appropriate in this situation… I can’t predict if and when such a meeting will take place, but if this step is recommended, if we decide that it will have an effect at this point in the discussion, then of course the president is always willing to have contacts at the leadership level.”

Asked whether Joe Biden agreed with his secretary of state’s statement that “even one Russian soldier crossing the Ukrainian border would constitute an attack on Ukraine,” the White House press secretary replied succinctly:

“This is part of Biden’s policy, he directed Secretary Blinken to bring this to President Putin’s attention, and the secretary of state followed that directive.”

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