IntelBrief: Biden-Putin Summit Scheduled, as U.S.-Russia Relations Continue to Deteriorate

Bottom Line Up Front

• In the first meeting between Biden and Putin in June, there is expected to be no shortage of contentious issues to discuss.
• Biden recently described Putin as a “killer,” and he has not shied away from harsh rhetoric to describe the Kremlin’s continued actions.
• U.S. Secretary of State Blinken recently met with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in the first high-level encounter since the Biden administration took office.
• While the U.S. and Russia remain at odds on myriad issues, there are potential areas for cooperation, including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.