The new US President Joseph Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time today, expressing his concern about the arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and also pointed to Russia's involvement in the cyber espionage campaign and the death of American soldiers in Afghanistan.
According to White House officials, Biden tried to "abruptly stop the warm rhetoric" of his predecessor Donald Trump towards Putin. But the new president also sought to leave room for diplomacy, telling the Russian leader that their countries should finalize a five-year extension of the New START nuclear arms control treaty before it expires early next month.
Unlike his predecessor, Biden did not show hope for a "reset" of relations with Russia, but indicated that he wanted to try to resolve differences, not necessarily improve relations.
According to officials, Moscow requested a meeting last Sunday, Biden agreed, but wanted his team to be prepared first and that he talk to European allies, including the leaders of Great Britain, France and Germany.
Before the conversation with Putin, Biden spoke today with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, promising the commitment of the United States to that alliance.
Biden told Putin that his administration was looking into computer system hacks and allegations that Russia offered money to the Taliban, which is killing American soldiers in Afghanistan.
Biden said the United States is prepared to defend itself and will take action, which could include further sanctions, to ensure Moscow does not act with impunity, administration officials said.
Biden's team has already reacted strongly to the crackdown on demonstrations for Navalny's release, held in more than 100 Russian cities over the weekend, when more than 3.700 people were arrested, including 1.400 in Moscow.
Trump has long been "in love" with Putin and sought his support, often expressing doubt about claims that there was Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. He also played down Russia's involvement in the hacking of federal government agencies last year and allegations that Russia offered money to the Taliban.
Despite that conciliatory approach, the Trump administration has taken a hard line toward Moscow, imposing sanctions on the Russian state, companies and businessmen over Ukraine, energy supplies and attacks on dissidents.
During the conversation with Putin, Biden abruptly abandoned Trump's line, stating that he knows that Russia tried to interfere in the 2016 and 2020 elections.
But he stressed the need to extend New START, the last remaining US-Russian arms control treaty, which expires in early February. US officials expect to reach an extension agreement that would provide transparency on each country's nuclear arsenal.
Biden told reporters on Monday that he hoped the U.S. and Russia could cooperate in areas where both countries see benefits.
"I believe that both of us can act in our mutual interest, each in our own, in connection with New START and at the same time make it clear to Russia that we are very concerned about its behavior, whether it is about Navalny, whether it is about 'Solar Winds' (the hacking case) or about reports of bounties for the heads of Americans in Afghanistan," Biden said.
Biden's approach has drawn approval from some former U.S. diplomats who have dealt with Russia and expect to see Russia policy determined by Biden's team, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan and the State Department's "number three" nominee, Victoria Nuland , outline the contours of Russian politics.
Nuland, who held the European portfolio in the State Department during the second term of President Barack Obama, was condemned by Putin and his aides especially for supporting pro-Western politicians in Ukraine.
She and Sullivan are said to share the same view on how to deal with Moscow: firm on human rights and Russia's intentions in Eastern and Central Europe, while keeping an open channel to the Kremlin on other issues.
But their beginning is complex, they say, especially given Putin's experience in relations with Trump, who often undermined his own administration's "hawkish" attitude toward Russia by privately trying to ingratiate himself with the Russian leader.
Trump was also often ill-prepared for talks with foreign leaders, ignoring warnings from his staff, limiting the number of people who could listen in on those talks and, especially after his talks with Putin, telling his aides very little about what they discussed.
"It's hard, but it's doable," said Daniel Fried, the US ambassador to Poland and assistant secretary of state for European affairs in the George W. Bush administration. "They will have to figure it out on the fly, but it is important to continue without hesitation with the New START push regarding the arrest of Navalny and other issues".
"They must do both, and not allow Putin to tell them that he will not accept New START unless he gives up Navalny, SolarWinds or Afghanistan," said Fried, who is now a member of the Atlantic Council. "Putin cannot be allowed to set conditions".
Bonus video:
