On the eve of the Putin-Biden meeting, the American leader said that the United States does not seek “conflict” with Russia.
The results of the last summit also indicate that the 30 participating states for the first time consider China’s growing military power “a fact of serious challenge”.
“I want to tell President Putin that I am not looking for a conflict with Russia, but we will respond if Russia continues its harmful activities”, – Biden said at a press conference in Brussels.
“And we will definitely defend the transatlantic alliance or defend democratic values”.
The leaders of the two countries will meet in Geneva on Wednesday amid rising tensions between the US and Russia.
Critics say the American leader, whose views are predominantly about the problems of relations with China, may be “sleepwalking”, seeking rapproachment with the [Russian] government, which many European leaders see as their main threat.
Despite the fact that NATO leaders traditionally adjust to the strategic priorities of the most influential member of the alliance – the United States – most of the participating countries are more concerned about problems in relations with Russia than with China.
Fears were caused by the following facts: China is expanding military exercises with Russia, sending its ships to the Mediterranean, and also using the assets of the base in Africa.
Among the leaders’ fears is the fact that Russia has developed new state-of-the-art medium-range missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, and has significantly modernized its armed forces, making Europe more vulnerable.
In Poland, according to the director of the Warsaw office of the German Marshall Fund, Mr. Baranowski, “there is increased worry and the perception that Washington is going soft on Putin and sleepwalking into a reset with Russia”.