The author of the article reminded that the US president declared his intention to cooperate with Russia where it is favorable for the Americans
US President Joe Biden chose a risky tactic, taking a step towards straining relations with Moscow immediately after coming to power: Russia is too big and influential to rule out at least a selective cooperation with it. This is according to an article published on Thursday in the German publication Der Spiegel.
“It was quick: Biden is barely 60 days in office and the relationship between him and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has already reached its first low point”, – the piece said. Author Roland Nelles pointed out that “for every US president, relations with Moscow are among the most difficult challenges, and Biden would not be an exception.
Nelles recalled that the U.S. attributed Russia’s involvement in cyberattacks on institutions in the country, and it was not yet clear what would follow after the relevant investigations. It is possible that the U.S. will impose new sanctions against Russia, the author writes.
At the same time, “Putin maintains his composure,” the article said. “Including Biden will not be able to pursue a confrontational course forever. At the very least, he will have to think carefully about whether he wants to do so,” Nelles writes. “The Kremlin chief puts Biden and his government in the same dilemma that previous US governments that have dealt with him have faced,” he believes. In the author’s view, “Russia is too big and influential to rule out selective cooperation [with it].” “Simply isolating, imposing sanctions and pissing off Putin over the long term will not do either,” the journalist stated.
The author of the article recalled that Biden has declared his intention to cooperate with Moscow where it is beneficial to the Americans. “Another question, of course, is whether Putin will be ready for cooperation after a new batch of verbal attacks and sanctions by the Americans. He has in the past fought back against pressure from Washington,” the piece said. “For now, Putin is open to dialogue, but that could change soon”, – Nelles believes.