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U.S. President Joe Biden said he is open to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to hand over cybercriminals to the U.S. if Washington does the same for Moscow just days before the two leaders meet at a summit in Geneva. .
Biden and Putin will sit in Switzerland on Wednesday for their first face-to-face meeting since Biden was sworn in as president of the United States. The two leaders said over the weekend that relations between their two countries were at a low point, but Biden’s latest comments suggested there could be room for cooperation.
Speaking at the conclusion of a meeting of G7 leaders in the UK on Sunday, Biden told reporters he was receptive to Putin’s suggestion of reciprocal extradition of cybercriminals responsible for disruptive ransomware attacks.
Earlier Sunday, Russian state television aired an interview with Putin in which the Russian president said Russia and the United States must make equal commitments.
“Russia will do so naturally, but only if the other side (in this case the United States) accepts the same and will also extradite the criminals corresponding to the Russian Federation.”
Asked about Putin’s comments, Biden said, “Yes, I am open to the fact that if there are crimes committed against Russia, that there are in fact people committing these crimes in the United States, I pledge to hold them responsible.”
“I was told I was flying here [Putin] he said that, “Biden added.” I think this is potentially a good sign of progress. “
A growing number of daring ransomware attacks have paralyzed businesses in recent weeks. These have included the interruption of the Colonial Conduct which provides oil supplies to much of the east coast of the United States, as well as operations to JBS, the Brazilian meat processing company. The White House has said it believes both attacks originated in Russia.
Putin told NBC News in an interview aired Friday that relations between the United States and Russia were at their “lowest point in recent years.” Biden said Sunday he agreed with the characterization, but also pointed to areas where he believed the two countries could work together.
The White House confirmed on Saturday that Biden would hold a solo press conference after the summit with Putin on Wednesday, instead of sharing a stage as his predecessor Donald Trump did with Russian President Helsinki in 2018.
Queen Elizabeth hosted Jill and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle on Sunday afternoon after the G7 summit in Carbis Bay ended © AFP via Getty Images
“This is not a contest about who can do better in front of a press conference or try to embarrass each other,” Biden said. “It’s about making it very clear to me what the conditions are for having a better relationship.
He added: “Russia has participated in activities that we believe are contrary to international standards. But they have also eliminated some real problems that will have problems chewing. For example, the reconstruction of Syria, of Libya ”.
“I hope we can find accommodation that can save people’s lives in, say, Libya.”
Biden spoke at the end of several days of meetings with other G7 leaders in Cornwall, shortly before meeting Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. He will then travel to Brussels, Belgium, where he is scheduled to take part in a summit of NATO leaders before flying to Geneva for the final leg of his first trip abroad as US president
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