Nuclear-capable missiles from Russia have been seen moving near Ukraine, indicating a potential new intervention by the Kremlin. Russia has also tested hypersonic cruise missiles that can evade US defenses and has severed ties with the NATO alliance. After a break during the summer, ransomware attacks originating from Russia have resumed, and Microsoft recently exposed a new Russian cybersurveillance operation. Since President Joe Biden's inauguration nine months ago, the US has implemented extensive sanctions against Russia, supported Ukraine's military, and warned of possible cyberattacks in retaliation. The US Embassy in Moscow has significantly reduced visa issuance. During the Group of 20 summit in Rome, world leaders including Biden and Putin did not have a chance to meet face to face due to Putin attending the event remotely. However, despite the ongoing tensions between the two countries, there have been ongoing talks and meetings between senior officials from the Biden administration and Russian officials since their summit in Geneva in June. These discussions have included topics such as arms control and cyber issues, with the White House's top adviser for cyber and emerging technologies engaging in virtual meetings with her Kremlin counterpart. Several weeks ago, the United States handed over the names and other information about hackers attacking the country, after a debate within the intelligence community. Officials are 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 produced much concrete results but have helped to prevent tensions from escalating. The US is wary of Putin's intentions but believes they can work together on issues like arms control. Russia has cooperated with the US on some issues, such as the Iran nuclear deal, but has also caused disruptions in other areas. Biden's approach has been praised in Russia for showing a willingness to engage in negotiations. Fyodor Lukyanov, a prominent Moscow foreign policy analyst who advises the Kremlin, stated that Biden recognizes the importance of a cautious approach and understands that Russia cannot be changed. The White House sees the talks as a means of preventing unforeseen geopolitical events that could impede Biden's priorities, such as competing with China and addressing domestic challenges. Meanwhile, Putin views the talks as an opportunity to demonstrate Russia's global influence and enhance his domestic image as a stabilizing force. Fiona Hill, a former top Russia expert in the National Security Council under President Trump, noted that Russians detest being ignored more than anything else. The desire to be a significant player on the global stage drives Russia to seek attention, potentially leading to risky interactions with the United States. The Biden administration faces criticism for engaging with a Putin-led Russia that challenges US interests and suppresses dissent. European officials fear Russia is using strong tactics during the energy crisis, linking approval of a new pipeline to gas deliveries. Recent social media footage showing Russian military movement near Ukraine has sparked concerns about potential action. The destructive impact of Russia's cybercampaign, highlighted by Microsoft's disclosure of ongoing infiltration attempts, is a major worry for US officials despite previous sanctions. According to Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of research group Silverado Policy Accelerator, the recent shift in Russian tactics towards undermining America's cyberspace infrastructure, rather than just targeting individual corporations or federal entities, appears to be a lasting change. This strategic shift has allowed Russia to leverage President Biden's desire for a more stable relationship to gain concessions from Washington. For example, when a top State Department official, Victoria Nuland, attempted to visit Moscow for talks, the Russian government initially hesitated due to Nuland's reputation as a Russia hawk, but ultimately offered a deal. If the United States granted a visa to a high-ranking Russian diplomat who had been barred from entering the country since 2019, then Nuland would be allowed to visit Moscow. The Biden administration accepted this proposal. Nuland's discussions in Moscow were said to cover a wide range of topics, but there are clearly some issues that the Kremlin is reluctant 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 matters earlier this year, they have largely been left unaddressed in talks between the two countries. Although Biden will not meet with Putin in person at the upcoming Group of 20 summit in Rome or the climate summit in Glasgow, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in October that another meeting between the two presidents before the end of the year is "quite realistic." Foreign Minister Sergey V Lavrov mentioned that he briefly spoke with Biden in Rome, where the president emphasized his commitment to further communication. Kadri Liik, a Russia expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, noted that Biden has been effective in signaling to Russia. She stated that Russia seeks the privilege of a great power to bend the rules. Rules need to be in place for this to happen, and whether one likes it or not, the United States still plays a significant role in setting these rules on a global scale. 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 artificial intelligence controlling weapons systems, potentially leading to accidental war or reducing decision time for leaders to prevent conflict. Wendy Sherman, the deputy secretary of state, has been leading discussions on these issues, which American officials view as a positive aspect of the relationship. Working groups have been established to address topics such as "novel weapons," including Russia's Poseidon autonomous nuclear torpedo. While Pentagon officials view China's nuclear modernization as their main long-term threat, Russia is seen as the immediate challenge. Gen John E Hyten, who is set to retire as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a few weeks, stated to reporters on Thursday that Russia remains the most significant threat due to their possession of 1,550 deployed nuclear weapons. Other notable interactions with Russia include John Kerry's visit to Moscow in July and Robert Malley's talks in September. Additionally, Alexei Overchuk, a Russian deputy prime minister, had positive discussions with Sherman and Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, which Overchuk described as "very good and honest" in comments to Russian news media. Putin, with his extensive experience in power, appreciates these displays of respect in diplomatic relations. Analysts observed that he recently made his own statement: When questioned by an Iranian attendee at a conference in October about whether Biden's pullout from Afghanistan signaled the weakening of US power, Putin responded by commending Biden's choice and dismissing the idea that the disorderly withdrawal would have a lasting impact on America's reputation. Putin stated, "Time will go by, and things will settle down, without causing any significant shifts. The appeal of a country is not determined by this, but by its economic and military strength." (Source: The New York Times)