Biden "Hopes" for Possible Meeting with Putin Next Month

On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his planned visit to Europe in June. In response to a question about a possible bilateral meeting with Putin, Biden said, "This is what I hope for and expect," adding, "We are working on this matter." The U.S. president will make his first foreign trip in mid-June, which will include the United Kingdom and then Belgium to participate in G7 and NATO summits, with the aim of meeting European Union leaders. In mid-April, Biden suggested to Putin that they meet against the backdrop of rising tensions between the two powers. Moscow showed interest in this offer, but the two countries quickly exchanged sanctions and counter-sanctions. Despite this, the Kremlin confirmed at the end of April that "concrete dates" are under consideration. Relations between Moscow and Washington are at their lowest levels, with several contentious issues including Ukraine, espionage allegations, election interference, cyber attacks, and the fate of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.