White House daily press briefing gets underway soon. Link courtesy of CSPAN: c-span.org/video/?512368-…
Jake Sullivan, WH nat sec adviser, at today's White House press briefing says Biden will go on his first trip abroad from a position of strength; showing progress against the pandemic, strong projected economic growth and a "rock solid" foundation of alliances.
At NATO Summit next week, it will be about confronting Russia and coordinating the remaining US drawdown of forces from Afghanistan. Emerging threats, like cybersecurity and challenges posed from China will also be a focus during NATO (starts June 14)
At EU-US Summit in Brussels it's going to be about trade, tech. Biden will also have bilats with UK PM Boris Johnson during this time.
Later on June 16, Biden will meet with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Geneva.
Later on June 16, Biden will meet with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Geneva.
Sullivan fields a q. from the press, is this the right time to meet with Putin, esp. since there are "no deliverables." Sullivan said this summit isn't about delivering anything, or rewarding anything, its about hearing what intent and capabilities are from both sides.
It is hard to find better context for a time for Biden and Putin to meet. Remember its coming after G7, after a meeting with fellow leaders at NATO, EU-US. Then and only then, from White House perspective, is the right context in which to engage Russia, after all leaders engaged
Biden had a call with Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelensky, Sullivan says. Biden invited Zelensky to the White House soon and expressed his desire to see Ukraine remain independent Russian aggression/encroachment
The threat of ransomware will be a priority focus for the U.S. as it visits with world leaders this week and next, Sullivan says.
The meeting with Putin is about reducing global tensions, "being able to look Putin in the eye" and say, this is what the US expects, stands for and is all about - this is an essential aspect of Russia-US diplomacy, Sullivan adds.
No word yet on whether Biden-Putin will hold a joint press conference.
Things have gone well UK PM Johnson and Biden, Sullivan says. They've been collaborating on "virtually every aspect of the G7 agenda." Separately, there will be a bilat w/Biden and Turkey's President Erdogan on the sidelines during NATO summit in Brussels.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
