Nuclear-capable missiles from Russia have been seen moving near Ukraine, raising concerns of potential intervention. Russia has also tested hypersonic cruise missiles that can evade US defenses and has severed ties with NATO. Ransomware attacks originating from Russia have started up again, and a new Russian cybersurveillance campaign was recently exposed by Microsoft. In the nine months since President Joe Biden took office, the US has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, supported Ukraine militarily, and warned of possible cyberattacks against Russian entities. The US Embassy in Moscow has significantly reduced visa issuance. During the Group of 20 summit in Rome, President Biden was unable to meet face to face with President Putin due to the latter's remote attendance citing coronavirus concerns. However, despite their public rivalry, the two countries are engaging in ongoing discussions. Following 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 talks are focused on arms control and there have been virtual meetings between the White House's cyber and emerging technologies advisor and her Russian counterpart. Several weeks ago, the United States shared information about hackers with Russia after much internal debate. Now, officials are waiting to see if this leads to arrests, testing Putin's commitment to cracking down on cybercrime. Talks between the two countries have not yielded much yet, but are helping to prevent tensions from escalating. The US is cautious about Russia's intentions but believes they can work together on certain issues. Russia has cooperated with the US on some matters, but also tries to disrupt other areas. Biden's diplomatic approach has been praised in Russia, indicating a potential for increased cooperation. Fyodor Lukyanov, a well-known Moscow foreign policy analyst who advises the Kremlin, stated that Biden recognizes the importance of taking a cautious approach and understands that Russia will not change. The talks between the two countries are seen as a way for the White House to prevent unexpected geopolitical events that could disrupt Biden's priorities, such as competition with China and addressing domestic challenges. For Putin, the talks 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, noted that Russians dislike being disregarded. The United States is concerned about Russia's efforts to gain attention and influence, which poses a risk for the Biden administration as it faces criticism for engaging with Putin's Russia. European officials fear Russia is using tactics to gain leverage during the energy crisis, while new footage suggests potential military action near Ukraine. Additionally, Russia's cybercampaign targeting US government and corporate networks is causing alarm among officials. According to Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of research group Silverado Policy Accelerator, the recent change in Russian tactics, moving towards undermining America's cyberspace infrastructure rather than targeting individual corporate or federal entities, appears to be a lasting shift in strategy. This shift has allowed Russia to leverage President Biden's desire for a more stable relationship to gain concessions from Washington. For example, when Victoria Nuland, a top State Department official, wanted to visit Moscow for talks at the Kremlin, the Russian government initially hesitated due to her reputation as a Russia hawk. However, they eventually offered a deal. If Washington were to approve a visa for a high-ranking Russian diplomat who had 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 covered a wide range of topics, but there are certain issues the Kremlin seems unwilling to address, such as Russia's crackdown on dissent and the treatment of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, despite Biden expressing disapproval on these matters earlier this year. While Biden will not have a face-to-face meeting with Putin 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 that the president emphasized his commitment to future communication. Kadri Liik, a Russia expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, noted that Biden has been successful in signaling to Russia. Russia desires the privilege of a great power to break rules. However, in order for this to happen, rules must be in place. The United States is still a significant influencer in setting global rules, whether people agree with it or not. Recent discussions between Russian and American officials have focused on "strategic stability," addressing concerns about new technology such as artificial intelligence in weapon systems potentially leading to accidental conflict. Wendy Sherman, the deputy secretary of state, has been leading talks on these issues, which American officials see as a positive aspect of the relationship. Various working groups have been established, including one focusing on "novel weapons" like Russia's Poseidon nuclear torpedo. While China's nuclear modernization is seen as a long-term threat by Pentagon officials, Russia is currently seen as the more immediate challenge. Gen John E Hyten, who will soon retire as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that Russia remains the most significant threat due to its 1,550 deployed nuclear weapons. Other recent interactions with Russia include John Kerry's visit in July, Robert Malley's talks in September, and meetings between Russian deputy prime minister Alexei Overchuk and US officials, which Overchuk described as positive in Russian news media. Putin appreciates these diplomatic gestures. Analysts observed that he also recently made his own statement: During a conference in October, he responded to an Iranian guest's question about whether Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan signaled the weakening of US power. Putin praised Biden's decision and dismissed the idea that the chaotic exit would have lasting consequences on America's reputation. Putin stated that over time, everything would settle down without causing any major changes. He emphasized that a country's appeal is based on its economic and military strength, not on events like the Afghanistan withdrawal.