Biden-Putin to Meet in Geneva on the 16th Next Month... China Calls It a Tactic to Sow Discord with Russia (Summary)

Iceland High-Level Talks Followed by Summit
Chinese State Media Criticizes "US Tactical Success Unlikely"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] With the first summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to take place on the 16th of next month in Geneva, Switzerland, attention is focused on whether the deteriorated relations between the two countries will improve. This meeting between the two leaders is the first since the 2018 summit between former President Donald Trump and President Putin. As various issues are expected to be discussed at the summit, China is reportedly on high alert, concerned that there may be gaps in its close diplomatic ties with Russia.

According to foreign media including 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 the 16th of next month in Geneva, Switzerland," adding, "This summit will discuss various urgent issues while seeking to restore predictability and stability in U.S.-Russia relations."

At this summit, issues causing conflicts between the two countries such as Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election, cyberattacks, the Ukraine crisis, and the Navalny case will be discussed, along with various other topics including COVID-19 response, climate change, and nuclear issues concerning North Korea and Iran. Earlier, on the 19th, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a high-level meeting in Iceland to discuss these agendas.

Meanwhile, in response to the news of the summit, China is moving its diplomatic channels urgently and reacting sensitively. On the 19th, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Putin emphasized close diplomatic ties during a video conference where they discussed strengthening nuclear cooperation. Less than a week later, on the 24th, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party responsible for foreign affairs, visited Russia to once again demonstrate closeness with Russia.

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

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