Much at stake in Reykjavik

Joe Biden has talked tough about Vladimir Putin. In March, his agreement with a reference to the Russian despot as a “killer” so enraged Moscow that it furiously withdrew its Washington ambassador. In seeking to put distance between himself and Donald Trump’s much-criticised friendship with Russia, Mr Biden has been rightly critical of Kremlin bad behaviour, such as election interference, cyber attacks, annexation of Crimea, massing of troops on the Ukrainian border and the appalling treatment of Alexei Navalny. The US President also has targeted the $US11bn ($14bn) Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany. The US regards its supply of cheap gas as an opportunity for the Kremlin to exercise crucial strategic leverage over major US allies.

In Reykjavik, the first talks between Mr Biden’s Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov showed few signs of what was expected to be serious tensions. Mr Blinken spoke of “many differences”, but added that “the world can be a safer place and a more secure place” if the US and Russia “work co-operatively”. Mr Lavrov was so pleased by the unexpected “let’s be friends” atmosphere that he praised a “remarkably constructive” meeting.

Just before the summit, significantly, the US announced cancellation of severe new sanctions on Nord Stream 2’s Russian builders. Republican senator Marco Rubio described this as “naive, deceitful and weak”. Cancelling these sanctions reflects poorly on the convictions of Mr Biden and Mr Blinken, who have both fiercely opposed the pipeline.

When relations between Moscow and Beijing are closer than they have been for many years, there is an advantage in closer Washington-Moscow ties and increased understanding. But Mr Biden needs to be careful. As Barack Obama’s vice-president in 2014, when Mr Putin seized Crimea, he knows better than most the dangers posed by the cunning Kremlin boss. The West could pay a very heavy price if Nord Stream 2 gives Mr Putin significant leverage over US allies in Europe. All of Mr Biden’s previously stated strong views and criticisms of Mr Putin were not wrong.