Biden-Putin to Hold First Summit in Geneva, Switzerland on the 16th of Next Month

3 Years After the 2018 Trump-Putin Summit
Analyzed as a Move to Block Closer China-Russia Diplomacy

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The White House announced that U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold their first summit on June 16 in Geneva, Switzerland. This marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since the 2018 summit between former President Donald Trump and President Putin. The two countries are expected to discuss a variety of pressing issues, including strategic arms reduction, Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election, cyberattacks, and nuclear issues concerning North Korea and Iran. The summit is also seen as a strategic move to prevent close diplomatic ties between Russia and China amid various domestic and international challenges.

According to foreign media such as CNN on the 25th (local time), White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated in a press release, "President Biden and President Putin are scheduled to meet on June 16 in Geneva, Switzerland," adding, "This summit will seek to restore predictability and stability in U.S.-Russia relations while discussing various urgent issues."

The Kremlin also issued a statement on the same day, saying, "According to the agreement between the two leaders, a summit between President Putin and President Biden will be held in Geneva on June 16," and added, "They will discuss the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, strategic stability issues, as well as cooperation on international agendas including responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and solutions to regional conflicts."

The summit is scheduled shortly after the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in the United Kingdom from June 11 to 13 and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on June 14. President Biden is expected to first address regional issues involving Russia through talks with European allies before meeting with President Putin.

The main agenda of this summit is presumed to be similar to the discussions held on May 19 between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Iceland. At that time, the two ministers identified areas for U.S.-Russia cooperation, including COVID-19 response, climate change, blocking North Korea and Iran's nuclear programs, and stabilizing Afghanistan. The summit will also cover conflicts between the two countries such as Russia's interference in the U.S. election, hacking, the Ukraine issue, and the Navalny case, alongside COVID-19 response, climate change, and nuclear issues concerning North Korea and Iran.

While it is unlikely that a breakthrough in bilateral relations will be achieved immediately, the first summit is expected to be meaningful in identifying negotiable areas. The Associated Press reported, "The White House does not have high expectations for this summit," and added, "It is expected to be an occasion to make efforts to find common ground despite hostile relations."

Some analysts suggest that this summit could be a strategic move to prevent closer ties between China and Russia. This is because Chinese diplomatic channels have been rapidly active following the news of the summit between the two countries. On May 24, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China responsible for foreign affairs, visited Russia to emphasize closeness with Russia. Earlier, on May 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Putin held a video conference to discuss strengthening nuclear cooperation, and the footage was publicly released.

China's state-run Global Times also criticized in an editorial on the same day, stating, "Western pressure and hostility are driving China and Russia closer," and added, "The U.S. tactic to sow discord between China and Russia and offer 'carrots' to Russia will not succeed."