Joe Biden warns Russia that it will face a “strong” response when reaching Europe

President Joe biden began his first overseas trip since taking office on Wednesday, demonstrating the United States’ unwavering commitment to NATO, and warning Russia that it incurs “strong and significant” consequences if it carries out harmful activities.

Biden, who spoke to some 1,000 troops and their families at a British air base, said he would send a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet next week after summits with leaders of NATO, the G7 and Europe.

“We are not looking for a conflict with Russia,” the Democratic president said at the start of his eight-day visit to Europe. “We want a stable and predictable relationship … but I have been clear: the United States will respond strongly and meaningfully if the Russian government engages in harmful activities”.

Biden said he was determined to rebuild transatlantic ties and rethink relations with Russia after four turbulent years under former Republican President Donald Trump, whose tariffs and treaty withdrawals have strained relations with key allies .

“This is my first trip abroad as President of the United States. I go to the G7, then to the NATO ministerial and then to meet with Mr. Putin to let him know what I want him to knowBiden said, eliciting cheers from the troops.

“Every step of the way, we’ll make it clear that America is back and that the world’s democracies come together to tackle the toughest challenges and the issues that matter most to our future.”

Biden told reporters on leaving for Europe that its objectives were “to strengthen the alliance and make Putin and China understand that Europe and the United States are united”.

The summit with Putin on June 16 in Geneva is the culmination of the trip, the opportunity to directly raise with Russian leader Washington the concerns of Russian leader Washington regarding the ransomware attacks emanating from Russia, the Moscow aggression against the ‘Ukraine and other topics.

Addressing American troops at the Royal Air Force base at Mildenhall, with a huge American flag behind it, Biden underscored the United States’ commitment to the NATO alliance, but said he needed to modernize and expand its cyber capabilities.

Biden is also arriving in Europe with a goodwill gesture, ahead of the planned announcement that the United States will purchase and donate 500 million doses of Pfizer Inc / BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to approximately 100 countries over the next two years, have they told Reuters. sources close to the case.

With information from Reuters

KEEP READING: