Biden and Putin Discuss Syria Over Phone Call
US President Joe Biden had a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, discussing cyber-attacks and the UNSC decision to extend the process of delivering aid to Syria.
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Biden and Putin discuss Syria over a phone call after UNSC's decision
The White House stated that US President, Joe Biden, had a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Friday, where he commended the joint work that led to the United States Security Council's decision to extend the process of delivering aid to Syria.
"President Biden spoke today with President Putin. The leaders commended the joint work of their respective teams following the US-Russia Summit that led to the unanimous renewal of cross-border humanitarian assistance to Syria today in the UN Security Council," according to the White House press brief.
The White House brief stated that Biden discussed with Putin, "the ongoing ransomware attacks by criminals based in Russia that have impacted the United States and other countries around the world".
Biden stressed, "the need for Russia to take action to disrupt ransomware groups operating in Russia", and emphasized that, "he is committed to continued engagement on the broader threat posed by ransomware".
According to the White House, "The United States will take any necessary action to defend its people and infrastructure in the face of this continuous challenge."
White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, stated that the Russian Government holds the responsibility to prevent groups from cyber-attacking the United States, adding that, "cyber attacks will be discussed during President Biden's meeting with Merkel, and the Nord Stream pipeline will be part of the discussion."
Psaki confirmed that "the President retains the option of responding to the attacks of the ransomware programs," saying that "the information we have today is that a third party entity was involved in the attack and the FBI is investigating it".
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin and Biden had a telephone conversation today, without giving further details.
It is worth mentioning that the UN Security Council unanimously endorsed a draft resolution prepared by Russia, the United States, Ireland, and Norway regarding the agreement to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria.
They reached the agreement following the first summit between Putin and Biden, held in Geneva on June 16.
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