US president seeks to find common ground with Russia amid concerns about Beijing's threat

 "In announcing a deal with the EU on Tuesday to suspend a 17-year dispute over trade subsidies, part of an effort to mend trans-Atlantic relations, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said, "The president routinely says that we are strongest when we work with our friends and allies."

But cracks remain beneath the surface -- most significantly, over how hard to press China. That, some analysts say, has increased the need for Mr. Biden to stabilize relations with the Kremlin to focus on Beijing.

"We should decide where it's in our mutual interest, in the interest of the world, to cooperate, and see if we can do that. And the areas where we don't agree, make clear what the red lines are," Mr. Biden told reporters on Monday after a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Communiques released after the G-7 and NATO summits featured unprecedented criticism of China, a victory for Mr. Biden, who entered the meetings hoping to put a spotlight on Beijing's alleged human-rights abuses and other actions to which Western nations object.

But behind the amicable atmosphere among European allies lie lingering concerns about Mr. Biden's laser focus on China, with some leaders worrying that antagonizing Beijing could complicate their economic relationships with the country.

When Messrs. Putin and Biden meet in Geneva on Wednesday, the president will be carrying a message that Washington wants to establish a "stable and predictable relationship" with Russia, said a person briefed on the approach they intend to pursue.

Now, the administration would like to find common ground in areas such as arms control, climate and containing the conflicts in Syria and Libya.

If the two sides can't achieve that, the U.S. believes it can point to the summit and say the administration made a good-faith effort, the person briefed on the discussions said.

Mr. Biden barely mentioned military spending, one of former President Donald Trump's main complaints about allies. The Biden administration in May declined to impose sanctions on a Russian natural-gas pipeline to Germany that U.S. officials say will hand Moscow more influence in Europe." [1]

1.World News: Biden Rallies Allies Ahead of Putin Test --- President seeks to find common ground with Russia amid concerns about Beijing's threat
Marson, James. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]16 June 2021: A.8.