President Biden vows to take a tough stance on Russia

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged that he will take a hard stance on autocrat leaders as Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Bien says one of his main priorities will be to improve relations with NATO allies.

President Trump's friendly report to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his refusal to criticise him has long been unclear for observers. Michael Kimmage is with the German Marshall Fund.

I think it's about Donald Trump's business career and the specific ambitions he had in 2016 and that were not political, but rooted in business. ”

There is little uncertainty about the approach of President-elect Joe Biden, who has pledged to stand in front of Putin and repair NATO's alliance, which he believes has been damaged by Donald Trump.

Trump has complained that NATO allies such as Germany, are benefiting from the United States and should contribute more money to their defence. Some experts say Mr. Trump's words were more destabilizing to the alliance than his actions. Michael Kimmage with the German Marshall Fund explains:

Where Trump was dangerous and remains dangerous for the trans-Atlantic alliance is more in terms of credibility. During the 2016 campaign, he said NATO was outdated. When he became president, he did not treat him as such, but he previously expressed it as”.

European leaders have welcomed Mr. Biden's victory, especially Berlin. German defence chief Annegret Kramp-Carrenbauer says the United States remains Europe's most important ally.

Without the nuclear and conventional capabilities of America, Germany and Europe cannot defend themselves. These are clear signs. ”

When it comes to US-Russia relations, experts say Mr. Trump wanted to improve them, but was hampered by investigations into his campaign ties with Moscow. According to analysts, this is unlikely to happen to Beden.

There was deep suspicion among Americans. Republican lawmakers and Democrats were also deeply skeptical of everything Trump was trying to do with Russia. So he had no achievements regarding Russia. Mr. Biden has a very different environment to act on,” says Kimmage with the German Marshall Fund.

Other analysts say they do not expect much change in Washington-Moscow relations as long as Putin leads Russia. James Carafano is with the Heritage Foundation.

“Putin has little desire to change its policies and that does not create proper space. I don't think anyone has faith in another resumption of relations with Russia”.

Secretary - General NATO Jens Stolernberg says Russia continues to violate Georgia and Ukraine's territorial integrity and continues to increase the military presence in Crime, challenges that NATO and Mr. Biden will face in 2021. / VOA/