PoliticoOn first call with Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden raises election interference, bounties and Navalny poisoning
- The US president struck a decidedly different tone from Trump, who was criticised for his relatively soft rhetoric toward Russia
- The extension of a nuclear treaty between the superpowers and the suspected Russian SolarWinds hack were also on the agenda
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Ben Leonard on politico.com on January 26, 2021.
US President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing US objections to a variety of Kremlin actions, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
Psaki told reporters at Tuesday’s press briefing that the call was scheduled to take place as she was behind the podium fielding press questions.
Biden called intending to raise concern about a suspected Russian SolarWinds hacking campaign that breached Justice Department email accounts, reports of Russian bounties reportedly placed on American troops and interference in the 2020 election, Psaki said. The president also intended to raise his concerns about the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the Kremlin’s recent treatment of peaceful protesters demonstrating in support of him, the press secretary said.
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Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny arrested and detained upon return to Russia after near-fatal poisoning
Biden also intended to support Ukrainian sovereignty and his goal of extending a nuclear arms treaty for five years with Russia, Psaki said.