Biden Proposes 'Summit Meeting' with Putin in Third Country...Blame Game Over Ukraine Crisis (Comprehensive)

Second Phone Call Since Biden's Inauguration Sparks Debate on Ukraine Issue
Military Tensions Rise Amid Various Entangled Issues... Dialogue Takes Priority

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that U.S. President Joe Biden proposed holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a third country during a phone call. Although military tensions between the two countries over Ukraine are escalating, it is interpreted that they are prioritizing dialogue as there are many issues to cooperate on with Russia in the future, such as strategic arms reduction, Middle East issues, and climate change.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press (AP) on the 13th (local time), President Biden held a phone call with President Putin and proposed a summit to discuss specific issues between the two countries. The White House and the Russian Kremlin stated in a joint statement that President Biden proposed holding a summit in a third country within a few months, and President Putin readily accepted, saying he is always ready to engage in dialogue. Apart from the summit proposal, it is also reported that President Biden invited President Putin to the climate summit to be held virtually on the 22nd and 23rd.

Although the summit proposal was exchanged, the two leaders reportedly engaged in sharp exchanges throughout the call over the Ukraine situation. President Biden expressed concern over the increased military forces Russia has deployed near the Ukrainian border and urged the easing of military tensions. On the other hand, President Putin denied any military involvement by Russia in the Ukraine situation and stated that Russia is complying with the peace agreement signed with Ukraine in 2015 under the mediation of Germany and France.

Earlier, on the 17th of last month, President Biden revealed strong caution toward Russia by answering "yes" to a reporter’s question in an interview with U.S. ABC News asking if he considers President Putin a "killer." The Russian government strongly protested this, worsening relations between the two countries.

Nevertheless, the promise of a summit in a third country is interpreted as reflecting the many issues at stake between the two countries. According to The New York Times (NYT), the U.S. and Russia have numerous issues to discuss, including compliance with the ‘New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START)’ extended by both countries in February, restoration of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), Middle East issues such as Afghanistan, and climate change.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.