Russia, US must find ways to improve ties, says Putin

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) – Russian president on Friday expressed willingness to improve relations with the US ahead of a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Geneva.

"We will discuss issues of bilateral relations. I believe that we will try to find ways to regulate these relations," said Vladimir Putin at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

According to Russian state news agency TASS, Putin will discuss "strategic stability, regulation of international conflicts," with his American counterpart.

"We will talk about disarmament processes, the fight against terrorism, I hope. [We will talk] about the fight against the pandemic and environmental issues. This is the tentative agenda," he added.

The two leaders will meet on June 16 and "discuss the conditions and prospects for further fostering Russian-US relations, strategic stability matters as well as pressing issues on the international agenda, which include cooperation in fighting the pandemic and regulating regional conflicts," according to TASS.

Separately, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday said the meeting between Putin and Biden will last as long as the leaders will deem it necessary.