The strained relationship between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has reached a new low as the former dismissed any need for talks regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, Biden stated that he saw no reason to engage with Putin currently, citing the lack of willingness on the part of the Russian leader to change his aggressive behavior towards Kiev.
However, Biden did not rule out the possibility of future discussions with world leaders, including Putin, as long as they were ready to address issues constructively. The last direct communication between the two presidents occurred in late December 2021, prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sharp decline in bilateral relations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia remains open to dialogue with the US but emphasized that such talks must be comprehensive and cover not only arms control matters but also the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Both sides, he acknowledged, need to engage if they are to address mounting problems within the global security architecture.
Biden’s recent gaffe, when he confused Ukraine’s President Zelensky for his Russian counterpart, has raised concerns about his mental state and overall ability to lead the country in these turbulent times. Despite this, the US president maintains that he is prepared to deal with any leader who demonstrates a willingness to engage on critical issues impacting global security.
In summary, while President Joe Biden has expressed no immediate interest in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, he remains open to future engagements as long as they serve the purpose of addressing pressing issues within the global security landscape.