US and Russian Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin will meet for the second time on Thursday night to address the Ukraine crisis, illustrating their willingness for dialogue after several months of rhetoric and threats.
‘Very aggressive rhetoric’
“I have clearly told President Putin, in a very different way than my predecessor (Donald Trump), that the time in which the United States submitted to Russia’s aggressions is over.Joe Biden warned on February 4, two weeks after his inauguration.
Biden cited Russian interference in the US elections, cyberattacks and “the poisoning of citizens”, Alluding to the opponent Alexéi Navalni. The next day, the Kremlin lamented “very aggressive and unconstructive rhetoric”.
Putin, ‘assassin’
In a televised interview on March 17, Joe Biden sparked the first diplomatic crisis of his tenure.
– “Do you think (Vladimir Putin) is a murderer? The journalist asked him. – Yes I think so“Replied the US president, without specifying whether he was referring to what happened to Alexei Navalni. “They will soon see the price that they will pay”.
Asked about Russian electoral interference in 2016 and 2020, Biden repeated that Vladimir Putin “I would pay the consequences”. Russia called its ambassador to the United States for consultations. A month later, the American ambassador in Moscow returned to Washington.
‘Whoever says it is’
Referring to Biden’s statements, Vladimir Putin replied: “Whoever says it is! It is not just a childish expression, a joke, we always see in the other our own characteristics“Said the Russian leader.
He then proposed a “discussion“Broadcast live between the two leaders:”It would be of interest to the Russian people, the American people, and many other countries.”, He argued. Washington’s response was silence.
‘The time for de-escalation has come’
On April 15, Joe Biden approved a series of severe financial and diplomatic sanctions on Russia, in addition to measures taken in March after the Navalni affair.
Soon after, however, he decided that “the time for de-escalation had come”, and proposed a bilateral summit “this summer in Europe.”
Three and a half hours with Vladimir
On June 16, after a three-and-a-half hour interview in Geneva, the two leaders valued the talks, noting that they had had a tone “positive” (Biden), “constructive” and without “no animosity” (Putin).
“It was important to meet in person“Said the American. For his part, Putin announced the return of the ambassadors to their respective posts.
Russian cyberattacks
On July 9, Joe Biden called his Russian counterpart to ask him to take action against a wave of “ransomware”Against US companies attributed to Russian hackers.
The discussion “it went well, I’m optimistic”, Affirmed the American president.
Shortly after, however, Putin assured that, despite the Russian willingness to help in the fight against cybercriminals, he had not received any requests in recent months “of mutual aid by the Americans”.
‘His tundra is burning, but he is silent’
On October 31, in the middle of the G20, Joe Biden pointed out the absence of Vladimir Putin. “Nothing can replace face-to-face negotiations for global cooperation.”
A repeated accusation during COP 26 in Glasgow: “Your tundra is burning. It faces very, very serious climatic problems, but is silent. “
“The tundra is really on fire. But let’s not forget that forests are also burning in California, Turkey, and other parts of the world.”The Kremlin replied.
The Ukrainian knot
“Worried”For the deployment of 100,000 Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine, Joe Biden announced at the end of November an interview with his counterpart.
Denying any invasion plan, Russia assures that its intention is to strengthen its armed forces in response to the “growing activity”Of NATO on its borders.
In a telephone interview on December 7, Biden threatened Putin with “heavy economic sanctions” if he invaded Ukraine.
The Russian president then demanded – unsuccessfully – guarantees on the freezing of NATO expansion.
On December 17, Moscow presented treaty proposals to drastically limit US and NATO influence near its borders, texts that Washington said it was ready to discuss, in consultation with Europeans.
On the 21st of the same month, Vladimir Putin promised an answer “military and technical”In case of Western threats.
On the 28th, Washington condemned the dissolution of the NGO Memorial in Russia, a pillar of the defense of human rights.
On Thursday, the two leaders are due to speak again by phone about Ukraine as a prelude to talks on security in Europe on January 10.
Despite the current tensions, Joe Biden will propose a “diplomatic channel“To get out of the crisis, according to the White House.
For his part, Putin says he is “convinced” that a dialogue is possible “cash”With his American counterpart.
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