Putin, Biden to touch on unsatisfactory Russia-U.S. relations, Ukraine, Afghanistan – Ushakov

MOSCOW. Dec 3 (Interfax) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden will discuss the two countries’ unsatisfactory relationship, the crisis in Ukraine, and the topics of Iran and Afghanistan during their upcoming talks.

"The agenda is obvious: this contact will be an important continuation to the Geneva talks of June 16. Naturally, they will touch on the issues concerning the process of implementing the Geneva arrangements," Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said at a briefing on Friday.

The presidents will discuss the "unsatisfactory situation in bilateral affairs, pressing international issues, both Afghanistan and Iran, naturally, and the crisis within Ukraine, obviously, Libya, Syria," he said.

They will also discuss "progress in the dialogue on strategic stability. These contacts are underway, two rounds have been held," he said.

"Another issue likely to be discussed is the realization of our idea of holding a summit of UN Security Council permanent members," Ushakov said.

Asked whether the discussion will include the situation on the oil market he said: "I don’t know, it might."

The agenda involves many issues, including the pandemic, climate and so on, he said.

"And the main thing is that not only we, but hopefully our American colleagues, too, understand how important, how needed this contact is," Ushakov said.