Biden Says US Could Strike Russia in “Cyber Way”

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – U.S. President Joe Biden says he has made it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin he would not accept more cyberattacks and election interference. Biden suggested that America could respond in a “cyber way.”

He also confirmed that they had spoken about a prisoner exchange, including the release of a U.S. businessman but that details are worked out.

President Biden said he spoke about human rights warning that the death of vocal Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in prison would have “great consequences” for Russia.

Biden said he had also asked Putin how he would feel it if people in the United States would target Russia’s pipeline infrastructure. “He didn’t like that.”

The president said he made it clear to Putin that the U.S. had unrivaled significant cyber capabilities which it could use.

Biden told reporters in Geneva that 16 types of critical infrastructure should be off-limits to cyberattacks, “period.” He said that includes the energy and water sector.

It comes after a ransomware attack in May on one of the largest pipeline operators in the U.S. forced the shutdown of fuel supplies to much of the East Coast for nearly a week.

That attack is blamed on a Russian criminal gang. Russia has not cooperated with criminal investigations of ransomware and does not extradite suspects to the U.S.

Biden clarified that he and Putin finished their presidential summit early due to briskly working through each man’s full agenda for the talks.

Biden stressed that he and his Russian counterpart sat across the table at their meeting site talking through each issue “in excruciating detail.” At the end of that, “we looked at each other like, ‘Ok, what next?’’’ Biden said. “We had covered so much.”

Asked about whether he trusted Putin, the president said: “This is not about trust. But about self-interest.”.Biden had called Putin “a killer” but pressed by reporters did not want to repeat that phrase.

The United States supports the current government in Ukraine, which is facing pro-Russian separatists in the east and the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Biden also said there was some progress with Putin offering to help on issues such as the safe withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Iran.

They also discussed Syria, where Biden expressed concern about Russia’s support for the Syrian president, who he accused of carrying out chemical attacks.

Despite remaining differences, Biden said he didn’t see problems in doing business with Russia “as long as they keep international norms.”

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