Putin: "MIR Talks Constructive... Agreement Reached on Return of Ambassadors" (Comprehensive)

Solo Press Conference After Talks... Cooperation in Cybersecurity Sector
"Navalny Is a Criminal" Dismisses Criticism of Opposition Suppression

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Russian President Vladimir Putin evaluated his summit meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden as a fairly constructive meeting 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 agreed to soon begin consultations between our foreign ministries on comprehensive matters," and stressed, "We must work to establish common norms applicable to 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 send back their respective ambassadors, who had returned to their home countries due to U.S.-Russia tensions, to the other country soon.

Previously, in March, after President Biden referred to 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., back to Moscow.

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

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

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 were detained accordingly, and similarly, Navalny violated the law, so his arrest was justified.

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

He also mentioned that the foreign ministries of both countries will discuss issues related to detainees from each other's countries currently imprisoned.

Putin said they agreed to start nuclear negotiations to replace the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), a U.S.-Russia nuclear arms reduction treaty 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 will begin consultations on cybersecurity.

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

In response to criticism that Russia is threatening Ukraine by increasing military forces near the Ukrainian border, Putin defended it as "legally conducting military exercises within its own territory."

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

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

He then quoted Russian writer Lev Tolstoy, saying, "'There is no happiness in life, only flashes of happiness,'" and explained, "In the current (U.S.-Russia) situation, there can be no trust like that among family members. But a flash of trust has appeared," leaving room for cooperation between the two countries.

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

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