Joe Biden 'hopes and expects' to meet with Vladimir Putin during Europe trip in June

The Biden administration has stressed that it wants to bring stability to the relationship between Washington and Moscow.

President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 vaccination program, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Joe Biden speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Source: AP

US President Joe Biden expects to hold a summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a June trip to Europe.

"That is my hope and expectation," Mr Biden said.

The President in April offered a meeting in a third country to discuss rising tensions over Russian sabre-rattling around Ukraine, the treatment of jailed Putin opponent Alexei Navalny, and other flashpoints.

A summit has not been confirmed but a Putin advisor, Yury Ushakov, has said planning is underway.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives his annual state of the nation address from Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives his annual state of the nation address from Moscow Source: AAP
Mr Biden is scheduled to attend a G7 summit in Britain in mid-June, followed by NATO and EU summits in Brussels, which would open the door to the logistics of a separate Putin meeting.

Austria and Finland have expressed interest in hosting the summit.

In April, Washington expelled 10 Russian diplomats over what it says was Russia's large-scale cyberattack on US computer systems and interference in the 2020 presidential election. Moscow responded with tit-for-tat expulsions.

However, the Biden administration has stressed that it wants to bring stability to the relationship and that Washington and Moscow need to cooperate on key areas, such as nuclear weapons and the climate crisis.


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2 min read
Published 5 May 2021 6:06am
Source: AFP, SBS


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