President Biden said Wednesday he will tell Russian President Vladimir Putin at an upcoming summit that there will be “consequences” if Russia takes harmful action toward democratic governments, but that he is not seeking conflict with Russia.
Biden addressed the state of U.S.-Russia relations amid rising tensions following ransomware attacks that targeted critical infrastructure, including the Colonial Pipeline and a key meat supplier. The president will meet with Putin in Geneva, Switzerland later this month.
“We’re not seeking conflict with Russia,” Biden said during a speech to military service members stationed in the United Kingdom. “We want a stable, predictable relationship. Our two nations share incredible responsibilities and among them, ensuring strategic stability and upholding arms control agreements.”
“I take that responsibility seriously, but I’ve been clear – the United States will respond in a robust and meaningful way when the Russian government engages in harmful activities,” he added
Biden is expected to press Putin on the recent ransomware attacks, both of which are believed to have been carried out by criminal organizations based in Russia. His administration previously imposed sanctions on Moscow over its role in the SolarWinds hack and efforts to interfere in the 2020 election, among other actions.
