Biden and Putin To Meet in Geneva on June 16 To Discuss a ‘Full Range of Pressing Issues’

May 25, 2021 (EIRNS)—In statements issued today, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki and the Kremlin reported that U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin will meet on June 16 in Geneva. The White House statement said, “The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship.”  The website of President Putin declared: “The two presidents will discuss the current status of and prospects for bilateral relations, strategic stability problems, as well as current issues on the international agenda, including cooperation in countering the coronavirus pandemic and settlement of regional conflicts.”

TASS reports today that, asked whether their meeting would be one-on-one, or whether there would be a time limit, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov replied that “the parties have yet to agree on details.” TASS also reported on comments from former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who said he thought the meeting will be “an important and positive event for our countries, for Europe...and the whole world.... I am an optimist to my core, I believe that it is necessary to speak with the most complicated and difficult partners to move towards trust.”