Russia is telling the United States to expect “uncomfortable” signals ahead of a meeting between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin next month.
“The Americans must assume that a number of signals from Moscow … will be uncomfortable for them, including in the coming days,” Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, said, according to the Russian RIA news agency.
Reuters pointed out Russia’s relationship with the United States has been strained over the imprisonment of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, military build-up, and allegations of election hacking.
“The actions of our Western colleagues are destroying the world’s security system and force us to take adequate countermeasures,” Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said, according to the Interfax news agency.
He added, “Around 20 military formations and units will be formed in the Western Military District by the end of the year.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced last week that Biden and Putin will meet on June 16 to “discuss the full range of pressing issues.”
Biden sent a message to both China and Russia during a Memorial Day service in Delaware on Sunday, as IJR reported.
“I had a long conversation for two hours recently with [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping], making it clear to him that we could do nothing but speak out for human rights around the world because that’s who we are,” Biden said.
He continued, “I’ll be meeting with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin in a couple weeks in Geneva making it clear that we will not stand by and let him abuse those rights.”
