Putin: "MIR Talks Constructive... Biden Is a Balanced Person"

Post-Meeting Solo Press Conference
Agreement to Expel Both Countries' Ambassadors
Cooperation on Cybercrime and Nuclear Reduction
"Navalny is a Criminal" Dismisses Opposition's Repression Criticism

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Russian President Vladimir Putin evaluated his summit meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden as quite constructive, despite some bilateral disagreements.

On the 16th (local time), President Putin conveyed this during a solo press conference following his first meeting with President Biden in Geneva, Switzerland.

Regarding the meeting, Putin said, "There were differing assessments (between the two sides) on several issues," but added, "Both sides showed a willingness to understand each other and seek ways to bring their positions closer."

He also emphasized, "We must strive to agree on common norms across various issues such as cybercrime, strategic stability, and localized conflicts."

President Putin added, "There is not a single problem that Russia and the United States cannot solve together."

Earlier, President Putin announced that he and President Biden agreed to soon return the ambassadors of both countries, who had been recalled due to U.S.-Russia tensions, back to their respective posts.

Previously, in March, after President Biden referred to President Putin as a "killer" in an interview with U.S. media regarding the poisoning of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, Russia retaliated by recalling Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the U.S., to Moscow.

Subsequently, John Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, also returned to Washington in April.

Both ambassadors attended the summit meeting that day.

When asked by a reporter at the press conference about political repression of Russian opposition activists, President Putin counterattacked by saying that the U.S. also faces such issues.

President Putin emphasized Navalny's legal violations, stating, "This person (Navalny) ignored his obligation to appear before authorities after receiving a suspended sentence and went abroad for medical treatment, and even after discharge, he did not fulfill his attendance obligations."

He further stated that the protesters charged by the U.S. in connection with the early-year Capitol riot also committed illegal acts, and since Navalny similarly violated the law, his arrest was justified.

Regarding President Biden's indirect reference to him as a killer in March, Putin mentioned U.S. issues such as gun violence and drone attacks, arguing that the U.S. also causes human rights violations. When a reporter raised human rights issues, he retorted, "Who is the real killer?" targeting President Biden.

He also said that the foreign ministries of both countries would discuss the issue of detainees from each country currently imprisoned in the other.

Putin said they agreed to begin nuclear negotiations to replace the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), a U.S.-Russia nuclear arms reduction agreement set to expire in 2026.

Regarding recent allegations that Russia has been conducting cyberattacks against U.S. government agencies and companies, Putin said the two countries would start consultations on cybersecurity.

He particularly stressed that the allegations that Russia is behind the cyberattacks are not true.

In response to criticisms that Russia is increasing military forces near the Ukraine border and threatening Ukraine, Putin defended this as "legally conducting military exercises within its own territory."

About President Biden personally, Putin described him as "very constructive, balanced, and very experienced as expected," adding, "Overall, we spoke the same language."

Putin mentioned that President Biden did not invite him to the White House, and he himself did not request a visit to Russia, adding that necessary conditions must be met for such a visit.

The first summit between Presidents Biden and Putin was held at the historic villa "Villa La Grange" in Geneva, Switzerland, lasting about three hours and 30 minutes, followed by a solo press conference by President Putin for about an hour.