Russian nuclear-capable missiles have been seen moving near Ukraine, which has prompted the Kremlin to suggest a potential new intervention in the region. Russia has also tested hypersonic cruise missiles that can evade US defenses and has severed ties with NATO. Following a break during the summer, ransomware attacks originating from Russia have resumed, and Microsoft recently uncovered a new Russian cybersurveillance campaign. Since President Joe Biden assumed office, the United States has implemented extensive sanctions on Russia, supported Ukraine's military, and warned of possible cyber retaliation against Russian entities. The US Embassy in Moscow has greatly reduced visa issuance. As leaders from around the world gathered at the Group of 20 summit in Rome this weekend, President Biden was unable to meet face-to-face with Russian President Putin due to Putin's remote attendance citing coronavirus concerns. However, beyond the outer display of rivalry, the two global powers are engaged in discussions. The summit in Geneva between Biden and Putin in June sparked a series of contacts between their countries, including multiple visits to Moscow by senior Biden administration officials since July, as well as meetings in neutral locations like Finland and Switzerland. Arms control is a major topic of conversation, marking the deepest discussions on the issue in years. Additionally, the White House's top adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, Anne Neuberger, has been involved in a series of discreet, virtual meetings with her counterpart in the Kremlin. Several weeks ago, the United States handed over information about hackers attacking the country to Russia, following an internal debate within the US intelligence community. The US is now waiting to see if this information leads to any arrests, testing Putin's commitment to cracking down on cybercrime. While talks between the two countries have not produced significant results, they have helped prevent tensions from escalating. The US remains cautious about Putin's intentions but believes they can cooperate on certain issues like arms control. Russia has supported the US on issues such as the Iran nuclear deal, but also disrupts cooperation in other areas. Biden's diplomatic approach has been praised in Russia, as it signals a readiness for negotiations. Fyodor Lukyanov, a well-known Moscow foreign policy analyst advising the Kremlin, stated that Biden recognizes the importance of taking a cautious approach and understands that Russia will not change. The White House sees the talks as a way to prevent unforeseen geopolitical issues that could disrupt Biden's priorities, such as competition with China and addressing domestic challenges. Putin views 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, emphasized that Russians dislike being ignored more than anything else. Due to their desire for prominence, Russia may resort to attention-grabbing tactics if the United States does not closely monitor their actions. However, the Biden administration faces criticism for engaging with Russia, as they continue to undermine US interests and stifle dissent. European officials fear Russia is taking advantage of the energy crisis to push for approval of a new pipeline before providing more gas. Recent social media footage showing Russian weaponry near Ukraine has raised concerns about potential aggression. In the US, the focus is on Russia's cyberattacks, with Microsoft revealing a new campaign to infiltrate cloud services and networks, despite the sanctions imposed by Biden earlier this year. However, it also indicated a significant and enduring change in Russian strategies, as noted by Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the research group Silverado Policy Accelerator. Alperovitch observed that Russia's shift towards undermining America's cyberspace infrastructure, rather than just targeting individual corporate or federal entities, was a deliberate change in tactics, not a one-time occurrence. 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 talks at the Kremlin, the Russian government initially hesitated. Nuland, viewed in Moscow as a key opponent of Russia, was on a list of individuals banned from entering the country. Nonetheless, the Russians proposed a compromise. If Washington agreed to grant a visa to a top Russian diplomat who had previously been unable to enter the United States since 2019, then Nuland could visit Moscow. The Biden administration accepted the offer. Nuland's discussions in Moscow were described as covering a wide range of topics, but there are certain issues that the Kremlin is evidently avoiding, such as Russia's crackdown on dissent and the treatment of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, despite Biden expressing disapproval of these matters earlier this year. Although Biden will not meet Putin in person at the Group of 20 summit in Rome or at the climate summit in Glasgow, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in October that another meeting between the two presidents this year, in some form, was likely. Foreign Minister Sergey V Lavrov mentioned on Sunday that he briefly spoke with Biden in Rome and that the president emphasized his commitment to future communication. Kadri Liik, a Russia specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, noted that "Biden has been very successful in his signaling towards Russia." Liik added, "What Russia wants is the great power privilege to break rules." However, in order for that to happen, rules must be in place. The United States is still a significant player in setting 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 new technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence in controlling weapons systems, potentially leading to accidental war or reducing decision-making time for leaders to prevent conflicts. Wendy Sherman, the deputy secretary of state, has led discussions on these issues, which American officials view as a positive aspect of the relationship. Working groups have been established to address various topics, including the discussion of "novel weapons" like Russia's Poseidon, an autonomous nuclear torpedo. Although Pentagon officials view China's nuclear modernization as the primary long-term threat, Russia is seen as the immediate challenge. Gen John E Hyten, who is set to retire soon as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized that Russia remains the most significant threat due to its 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 Sherman and Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, as described by Overchuk in comments to Russian news media. Putin, with his extensive experience in power, appreciates these diplomatic gestures. Analysts observed that he recently sent a signal of his own: During a conference in October, he was asked by an Iranian guest whether Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan signaled the decline of US power. In response, Putin praised Biden's decision and dismissed the idea that the chaotic exit would have a lasting impact on America's reputation. Putin stated that over time, things would settle down without causing any significant changes. He emphasized that a country's appeal is not determined by such events, but by its economic and military strength.