On June 16, 2021, first Biden-Putin meeting in Geneva, first USA-Russia summit since Biden's election.
Participants: Joe Biden (US President), Vladimir Putin (Russian President). 3.5 hours of talks.
Topics discussed:
- Cyber-attacks and ransomware
- Electoral interference
- Human rights (Navalny, opposition repression)
- Ukraine and Minsk II
- Strategic stability and arms control
- Climate
On Ukraine: Biden reiterates US support for Ukrainian territorial integrity. Putin states Ukraine must implement Minsk II. No progress.
Concrete results:
- Agreement to resume dialogue on strategic stability (nuclear)
- US and Russian ambassadors to return to respective capitals
- Working groups on cyber-security
Tone: "Stable and predictable" (Biden's words). Not cordial but professional. Biden describes Putin as "bright, tough and worthy adversary".
8 months later: On February 24, 2022, Russia invades Ukraine on large scale. All dialogues interrupted. Geneva summit produced no lasting results.