Biden Wants a 'Predictable' Russia. That Helps Putin.
Moscow would have a lot to gain from better relations with Washington, but it’s not likely to happen as the U.S. shifts its attention to China.
Dark vision.
Photographer: Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
In the run-up to his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week in Vienna, U.S. President Joe Biden said he wants a “stable and predictable” relationship with Russia. One might think that Putin, too, would have much to gain through greater amiability with Washington. Yet there’s zero chance it will happen.
Putin needs confrontation with the West for domestic reasons, and he believes he can exploit America’s necessary focus on China to drive up the price Biden must pay for decent relations with Moscow. Even worse, it’s a model that multiple American rivals may follow in dealing with a distracted superpower.