US President Joe Biden has warned Russian leader Vladimir Putin about election meddling in their first call as counterparts, the White House says. The conversation also included a discussion about the ongoing opposition protests in Russia.
A Kremlin statement did not refer to any points of friction, saying the call was “business-like and frank”. Both leaders reportedly signalled willingness to renew the countries’ last remaining nuclear deal.
Former US President Donald Trump sometimes undercut his own administration’s tough posture on Russia and was accused by some of being too deferential to Mr Putin.
But former President Barack Obama – under whom Mr Biden served as vice-president – was also criticised for failing to check the Kremlin as it annexed Crimea, supported rebel forces in eastern Ukraine and muscled in on Syria.
