Russian nuclear-capable missiles have been seen moving near Ukraine, and the Kremlin has hinted at the possibility of a new intervention there. Russia has also tested hypersonic cruise missiles that evade US defenses and has severed ties with NATO. Ransomware attacks from Russia have resumed after a summer break, and Microsoft recently exposed a new Russian cyber surveillance campaign. Since President Joe Biden took office, the US has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, supported Ukraine's military, and warned of cyberattacks against Russian targets. The US Embassy in Moscow has greatly reduced visa issuance. World leaders gathered at the Group of 20 summit in Rome over the weekend, but President Biden was unable to meet face to face with President Putin as he attended the event remotely due to coronavirus concerns. However, despite the tense situation, the two global rivals are engaging in discussions. Since their summit in Geneva in June, there have been multiple contacts between the two countries, including visits to Moscow by senior Biden administration officials and meetings on neutral ground in Finland and Switzerland. Arms control is a key topic of discussion, marking the most substantial conversation on the matter in years. Additionally, the White House's top adviser for cyber and emerging technologies has been holding virtual meetings with her Kremlin counterpart. Several weeks ago, the United States handed over information about hackers to Russia after a debate within the US intelligence community. Now, officials are waiting to see if this leads to arrests to test Putin's commitment to cracking down on cybercrime. Talks between the two countries have not yielded much substance but have helped prevent tensions from escalating. The US is cautious about Putin's intentions but believes they can work together on certain issues. Russia has cooperated with the US on matters like the Iran nuclear deal and North Korea, but also tries to disrupt other areas. Biden's approach has been praised in Russia for showing increased engagement and willingness to negotiate deals. Fyodor Lukyanov, a well-known Moscow foreign policy analyst who advises the Kremlin, stated that Biden comprehends the significance of taking a serious approach. He emphasized that Biden's understanding lies in the fact that he cannot change Russia, as it is set in its ways. The talks are crucial for the White House as they aim to prevent any unexpected geopolitical events that could hinder Biden's focus on competing with China and addressing various challenges within the country. On the other hand, Putin sees the talks as an opportunity to demonstrate Russia's global influence and enhance his image as a stabilizing force domestically. Fiona Hill, who previously served as the top Russia expert in the National Security Council under President Donald Trump, noted that Russians dislike being ignored more than anything else. Due to their desire for a prominent role on the global stage, Russia is seeking ways to gain the attention of the United States. However, this outreach presents risks for the Biden administration, as engaging with a Russia led by Putin could lead to criticism for compromising US interests and stifling dissent. European officials fear that Russia is taking a tough stance during the region's energy crisis, possibly using the approval of a new pipeline as leverage to secure more gas deliveries. Recent social media footage showing Russian military equipment moving near Ukraine has sparked concerns about potential new actions by Russia in the region. In the US, the focus is on the damaging effects of Russia's cyberattacks, with Microsoft revealing a new campaign targeting government, corporate, and think tank networks, despite sanctions imposed by Biden in response to the Solar Winds hack earlier this year. However, according to Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of research group Silverado Policy Accelerator, it also indicated a long-term shift in Russian tactics. Alperovitch pointed out that Russia's focus on undermining America's cyberspace infrastructure, rather than just targeting individual corporate or federal entities, signified a strategic change rather than a one-time event. Russia has already exploited President Biden's desire for a more stable relationship to gain concessions from Washington. For example, when Victoria Nuland, a high-ranking State Department official, attempted to visit Moscow for talks at the Kremlin, the Russian government initially hesitated due to Nuland's reputation as a Russia hawk. However, a deal was eventually reached. If Washington were to grant a visa to a top Russian diplomat who had not been able to enter the United States since 2019, then Nuland could visit Moscow. The Biden administration accepted the offer and Nuland's discussions in Moscow were described as covering a wide range of topics. However, there are certain areas that the Kremlin does not want to address, such as Russia's suppression of dissent and the treatment of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, despite Biden's expressed disapproval of these issues. Although Biden will not meet with Putin in person at the Group of 20 summit in Rome or the climate summit in Glasgow, Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, stated in October that another meeting between the two presidents this year in some form is likely. Foreign Minister Sergey V Lavrov mentioned that he briefly spoke with Biden in Rome and the president emphasized his commitment to future communication. Russia specialist Kadri Liik from the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin commented that Biden has been effective in signaling to Russia, noting that Russia desires the privilege of great power to break rules. However, in order for this to happen, there must be established rules in place. The United States still holds significant influence in setting global rules. The main focus of discussions between Russian and American officials has been on "strategic stability," which covers traditional arms control and concerns about new technologies, such as artificial intelligence in weapons systems, potentially leading to accidental conflict. Wendy Sherman, the deputy secretary of state, has led talks on these issues, which American officials see as a positive aspect of the relationship. Various working groups have been formed, including one to address "novel weapons" like Russia's Poseidon nuclear torpedo. While Pentagon officials view China's nuclear modernization as a long-term threat, Russia is seen as the more immediate challenge. Gen John E Hyten, who is set to retire soon as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated to reporters on Thursday that Russia remains the most significant threat due to their 1,550 deployed nuclear weapons. In recent interactions, John Kerry, Biden's climate envoy, visited Moscow in July, while Robert Malley, the special envoy for Iran, held discussions in Moscow in September. Alexei Overchuk, a Russian deputy prime minister, had productive talks with Sherman and Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, which he described as positive and honest in remarks to Russian media. Putin, with his extensive experience in diplomacy, appreciates such displays of respect. Experts pointed out that he also recently made his own statement: In October, during a conference, when an Iranian attendee asked if Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan signaled the weakening of US power, Putin responded by supporting Biden's choice and dismissing the idea that the disorderly exit would greatly impact America's reputation in the long run. Putin stated that eventually, things would stabilize without causing significant changes, emphasizing that a nation's appeal is determined by its economic and military strength rather than specific events like the Afghanistan withdrawal.