Biden suggests ‘dictator’ Putin’s Russia may be weaker than it appears – media – UNIAN

Reuters

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday that “dictator” Vladimir Putin was right that relations between the two countries were at their lowest point in years, but suggested Russia might be weaker than it appears and that Moscow had too much influence in the Middle East.

according to Reuters.

Asked why Putin, who has remained Russia’s top leader since Boris Yeltsin resigned in 1999, had not changed despite years of Western sanctions, Biden quipped: “He’s Vladimir Putin.”

“Dictators have enormous power, they’re not accountable to the public, and the fact is, if I had responded in the same way, it would likely not have dissuaded him — he would have stayed in office,” Biden said of Putin.

READ ALSOPutin hopes to meet with Biden, have “direct dialogue” with the United StatesYet Biden portrays Russia, whose economy is one-tenth the size of the U.S., as a weaker country than is thought.

“Russia has its own difficulties, dealing with economic problems, dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, and dealing with the United States and Europe and the Middle East,” he said.

“We believe that Russia has engaged in activities that violate international norms, but they also have some real problems that are going to be difficult to solve,” Biden said.

Biden cited Syria as an example, pointing out that the two countries could cooperate on the Syrian issue and seek “reconciliation.”

Biden said Putin was correct that relations between the two countries were at a low point.

“He’s right, this is a low point,” Biden said.

Biden-Putin summit

• The Geneva summit is scheduled for June 16, 2021.
• Biden spoke about his position before his meeting with Putin on June 6, 2021. Biden pointed out that America’s friends, partners and allies see the world through the same lens as the United States, and Washington stands united with them in addressing Russia’s challenges to European security, starting with Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
• He pledged that the United States would firmly defend democratic values ​​and its national interests.
• Biden also stressed that the United States does not want a conflict with the Russian Federation, but instead “seeks to restore predictability and stability in U.S.-Russia relations” and cooperate with Russia on issues of strategic stability and arms control.
• NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoana expects President Biden to raise issues such as Russia’s aggressive behavior around the world, strategic arms control, and climate change in his meeting with Putin.