(VOVWORLD) - Tense US-Russia relations in 2021 grew out of strong long-term disagreements on multiple issues, but high-level dialogue between the two has served as a bridle to keep the relationship under control.
 US President Joe Biden (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin meets in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Relationship highs and lows
Early last year, analysis suggested that the US-Russia relationship would change positively under a new US President. Optimism was reinforced by the two countries agreeing to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) for another five years.
But tension continued between the two superpowers over accusations of election meddling, cyberattacks, expulsion of diplomatic staff, and other issues, including NATO's eastward expansion and the Ukraine crisis. Relations between Russia and the West were thought to be at their lowest level since the Cold War.
 US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin during an online conversation on December 7, 2021. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Despite bitter feelings, both countries acknowledged a need for dialogue. Consequently, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held two summits, an in-person meeting in Geneva last June, and an online meeting last month. Other senior officials of the two countries also met bilaterally in both the US and Russia. The two sides also took several additional actions to ease tensions. The US, for example, nixed sanctions on Nord Stream 2, a huge cooperative gas project between Russia and Germany, while Russia made several proposals to resolve conflict, the latest and most notable being a proposed eight-point security agreement with the US and NATO which it announced early last month.
 Gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Dialogue maintained
The "ups and downs" in the relationship in 2021 showed that opportunities for cooperation exist, but thawing the relationship won’t be easy. Fierce geopolitical competition, now considered systemic, is making it difficult for the two countries to resolve their disagreements. High-level talks were held, but were unable to break the ice.
Analysts hope the two will maintain their dialogue and not let tensions cross either side’s "red line". The two have agreed to meet again early next week. All eyes will be on their high-level security talks on Monday. These are part of the Strategic Security Dialogue initiative agreed upon by President Biden and President Putin in Geneva last June.