Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart, Joseph Biden, would not have a year, even life, to agree on unresolved issues that will be on the table tomorrow in Geneva.
It will be very difficult for them to reconcile interests in areas as hot as the deteriorating bilateral relations, the diplomatic crisis, accusations of espionage and interference in internal affairs, computer attacks or the most recent sanctions.
Added to that are global concerns ranging from military tensions, strategic stability, security, or the resolution of regional conflicts such as the Middle East, Syria, Afghanistan, Belarus, Ukraine, among some examples.
The gaps between the two geopolitical rivals are very deep and systemic. They have to do with their own way of facing reality and the vision of their role in solving international problems.
While Russia appeals to dialogue as a policy for conflict resolution, the United States declares unilateral sanctions. When Moscow speaks of multilateralism and adherence to the United Nations Charter, Washington intervenes in the affairs of other nations.
For the rest, the historical links were always covered with mistrust, competition, attacks, sanctions, plus the threats and boasting launched until the day before the meeting. In reality, Moscow and Washington never enjoyed a honeymoon.
None of that can be solved overnight in the cozy and beautiful Villa La Grande, the 18th-century Geneva mansion overlooking Lake Geneva, where leaders will shake hands and respond with a smile to the cameras.
But as Putin said about the summit: It had to happen sooner or later. Because the summits are rarely to congratulate or hug each other. That may be the end for the audience. Behind, or in the subsoil, there are crises and many ills to solve.
There are plenty of examples: the same is Climate Change, which has caused more than one, with few results, by the way, Habitat, with lines of people living on the streets waiting for its results; or that of Food against hunger.
Even so, the summits are convened; because there is no choice but to call those responsible for world order and put them to dialogue face to face, so that they worry and seek solutions or be ashamed of the evils and inequality that strangle the world.
Putin and Biden are going to meet in Geneva because they have no other choice. Bilateral relations are at the worst moment since the times of the Cold War and it is clear that both countries must find a way to stabilize their relations in the face of the danger of a new arms race.
They also have common points ahead for possible alliances: the fight against Covid-19, confronting the impact of climate change, cooperation in research in the cosmos and in other areas that can be of great help to all countries.
“Let’s sit down together, let’s talk, let’s look for solutions, let’s look for compromises acceptable to all parties; this is how stability is achieved. It cannot be achieved by imposing a point of view, “Putin said in his recent interview for the US channel NBC.
Few are betting that healing agreements and solutions for so many global challenges will emerge from the Geneva summit. It is an impossible task among so many differences, recognize not a few experts.
“There will be no improvement. The confrontational relationship will continue, as will the systemic and concrete contradictions between the two countries, ”said academic Dmitry Suslov, from the Russian Center for International and European Studies.
However, it can serve to keep communication channels open. “I hope the summit is a starting point”, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov said.
For Putin and Biden to sit face-to-face, reveal their most complicated letters, and review them together is a momentous step in straightening the way. Although without a doubt, this will be as far as possible a civilized summit, but stormy above all.
