Nuclear-capable Russian missiles have been seen near Ukraine, raising concerns of possible intervention by the Kremlin. Russia has tested hypersonic cruise missiles that can evade US defenses and has severed ties with NATO. Ransomware attacks from Russia have resumed after a pause, and a new Russian cybersurveillance campaign has been uncovered by Microsoft. Since President Joe Biden took office, the US has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, supported Ukraine's military, and threatened cyberattacks in retaliation. The US Embassy in Moscow has significantly reduced visa issuance. During the Group of 20 summit in Rome, Biden was unable to meet face-to-face with Putin due to the Russian president attending remotely because of COVID-19 concerns. However, despite the tensions between the two countries, they have been engaged in talks. Since their summit in Geneva in June, there have been multiple meetings between senior Biden administration officials and Russian officials in Moscow, Finland, and Switzerland. The discussions have focused on arms control and cyber issues, with White House adviser Anne Neuberger holding virtual meetings with her Kremlin counterpart. Several weeks ago, the United States provided information about hackers targeting the country to Russia after a debate within the US intelligence community. The US is now waiting to see if this information leads to arrests, testing Putin's commitment to cracking down on cybercrime. Talks between the two countries have not yet produced substantial results but have helped to prevent tensions from escalating. Despite being cautious about Putin's intentions, the US believes it can collaborate with Russia on issues like arms control. Russia has supported the US on certain international matters, such as the Iran nuclear deal, but also creates obstacles in other areas. Biden's diplomatic approach has been praised in Russia, as it signals a willingness from the US to negotiate deals. Fyodor Lukyanov, a prominent Moscow foreign policy analyst who advises the Kremlin, stated that Biden recognizes the importance of taking a cautious approach and understands that Russia cannot be changed. The talks are seen as a way for the White House to prevent unexpected geopolitical issues that could affect Biden's priorities, while for Putin, they are an opportunity to demonstrate Russia's global influence and enhance his image as a stabilizing force domestically. Fiona Hill, a former top Russia expert in the National Security Council under President Trump, emphasized that Russians dislike being ignored more than anything else. The United States is facing a risky situation as it tries to engage with Russia in order to maintain its position as a major player on the global stage. There are concerns about Russia's actions, such as holding out for the approval of a new pipeline before delivering gas, and the possibility of new military action near Ukraine. Additionally, Russia's cybercampaign is a major concern, with reports of attempts to infiltrate US government and corporate networks despite sanctions imposed by the Biden administration. However, it also signified a long-lasting change in Russian strategies, as stated by Dmitri Alperovitch, the chairman of the research group Silverado Policy Accelerator. Alperovitch pointed out that the shift towards undermining the United States' cyberspace infrastructure, rather than solely targeting individual corporations or federal entities, was not a one-time occurrence but a deliberate change in tactics. Russia has already capitalized on President Biden's desire for a more stable and predictable relationship to gain concessions from Washington. For instance, when Victoria Nuland, a senior State Department official, attempted to visit Moscow for discussions at the Kremlin, the Russian government initially hesitated. Nuland, considered one of Washington's most influential critics of Russia, was on a blacklist of individuals banned from entering the country. Despite this, the Russians proposed a compromise. If Washington were to grant a visa to a high-ranking Russian diplomat who has been unable to enter the United States since 2019, then Nuland would be able to visit Moscow. The Biden administration accepted this offer, and Nuland's discussions in Moscow were said to cover a wide range of topics. However, there are certain issues that the Kremlin does not want to address, such as Russia's crackdown on dissent and the treatment of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Despite Biden's expressed disapproval of these matters this year, they have largely gone unaddressed in the talks between the United States and Russia. Although Biden will not meet Putin in person at the Group of 20 summit in Rome or the climate summit in Glasgow, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated 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 that the president emphasized his commitment to further communication. Kadri Liik, a Russia specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, noted that Biden has been successful in signaling towards Russia. She added that Russia desires the privilege of being a great power and breaking rules. However, rules are necessary for this to happen. The United States continues to play a significant role in determining global rules, whether people like it or not. Recent discussions between Russian and American officials have focused on "strategic stability," which covers traditional arms control as well as concerns about how new technology, such as artificial intelligence in weapons systems, could increase the risk of accidental war or limit decision-making time for leaders to prevent conflict. Wendy Sherman, the deputy secretary of state, has led discussions on these issues, which American officials see as a positive aspect of the relationship. Working groups have been established to address topics such as "novel weapons," such as Russia's Poseidon autonomous nuclear torpedo. While Pentagon officials view China's nuclear modernization as the main long-term threat, they consider Russia to be the immediate challenge. Gen John E Hyten, who will 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 possession of 1,550 deployed nuclear weapons. John Kerry, Biden’s climate envoy, visited Moscow for four days in July, while Robert Malley, the special envoy for Iran, held discussions in Moscow in September. Russian deputy prime minister Alexei Overchuk had positive and honest talks with Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and Wendy Sherman. Putin, with over 20 years in power, appreciates these displays of respect in diplomatic relations. Experts pointed out that he recently made his own statement during a conference in October when an Iranian attendee asked him about Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan and its impact on US power. Putin responded by commending Biden's decision and dismissing the idea that the disorderly exit would have a lasting impact on America's reputation. He stated that over time, things would settle without causing any significant changes, emphasizing that a country's attractiveness is determined by its economic and military strength.