How Will The Biden Administration Approach Russia?

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during their meeting in Moscow, March 10, 2011. 

Jamie Dettmer, VOA: How Will a President Joe Biden Approach Russia? 

U.S. presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, when first elected, both thought they could establish a rapport with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and dramatically improve U.S.-Russian relations. Their appraisal of Putin swiftly changed. 

When asked his impression of Putin after his first face-to-face meeting, George W. Bush said, “I looked the man in the eye. I found him very straightforward and trustworthy – I was able to get a sense of his soul.” 

Obama, eight years later, openly sought a reset in relations only to see his hopes dashed finally with Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula Crimea in 2014. Joe Biden, who as Obama’s vice president supported the reset strategy, is unlikely to follow the example of his predecessors, say former diplomats and analysts. 

Biden indicated as much during his presidential campaign, saying at a CNN town hall last month, “I believe Russia is an opponent, I really do.” In contrast, he called China “a competitor, a serious competitor.” 

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WNU Editor: The Biden administration's focus will be on the Covid-19 pandemic, and recovering from it. So will Russia's. With the exception of extending the START agreement, which may happen under Trump, I do not expect much happening between Moscow and Washington for 2021.