In In an interview with NBC, Putin said that relations between Russia and the United States “have sunk to the lowest point in recent years.” “This may be the only thing I agree with Putin on, an accurate description,” the head of the State Department said.
Anthony Blinken
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in an interview with MSNBC that relations between Moscow and Washington are at a low point.
“From our point of view, it is quite clear that the reckless and aggressive actions that Russia consistently takes are responsible [for the deterioration of relations],” he said.
The head of the State Department agreed with the assessment that relations between Russia and the United States are at a low point. “This may be the only thing I agree with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin on,” the Secretary of State said.
Blinken stressed that for US President Joe Biden, the goal of the meeting with Putin is to say that the US wants a more stable and predictable relationship. According to him, Washington is ready for such relations and would prefer them, as it is in the interests of both states and the whole world.
At the same time, Blinken noted that if Russia continues to behave as it does now in relation to the United States and its allies, Washington will respond decisively.
Last week, NBC interviewed Putin, during which the Russian president said that relations between Russia and the United States ” have sunk to the lowest point in recent years.” Biden later said that he agreed with Putin’s point of view. “I think he’s right, this is the lowest point,” the US president said.
According to him, the future of the dialogue between the countries depends on whether Russia will act “in accordance with international norms”. At the same time, Biden stressed that Washington is not looking for a conflict with Moscow.
Putin and Biden will hold a face-to-face meeting in Geneva on June 16. They plan to discuss the state and prospects of bilateral relations, strategic stability and topical issues on the international agenda, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the settlement of regional conflicts. The main goal of the future summit, Putin called the restoration of personal contacts and direct dialogue, as well as the creation of really functioning mechanisms in areas in which Russia and the United States have mutual interests.