New video call between Biden and Putin in full tension: Do these meetings serve any purpose?

As presidents, the American Joe Biden and the russian Vladimir Putin They have only met in person once, but their conversations by phone and video have been several more. Only in this month of December the presidents have seen each other twice through video calls to address the crisis around Ukraine. The last of these communications -which takes place this Thursday 30- demonstrates not only the importance of the subject in question, but also how calls and videoconferences are gaining relevance in international diplomacy, even more so in times of pandemic.

The one this Thursday takes place after in his talk on Tuesday 7, Biden warn Putin with “strong economic sanctions” if it invaded Ukraine. The Russian president, for his part, demanded guarantees on the freezing of NATO expansion.

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For the new call, however, tempers have seemed to be calmer. The Russian ruler said he was “convinced” that an “effective” dialogue “based on mutual respect” between the two countries is possible, recalling the face-to-face summit that the two leaders held in June in Geneva.

Biden and Putin during their summit in Geneva. (Photo: AP) (Patrick Semansky /)

For its part, the White House assured that Biden will offer to Putin “A diplomatic route” as a way out of the Ukrainian crisis. This exchange of messages occurs when the negotiations on security in Europe approach that will begin on January 10 of the year that also enters Geneva, in which it is not expected that the presidents of U.S Y Russia participate.

“A useful tool if you know how to use”

Presidential calls are not a recent thing and there are strict protocols to follow. As USA Today explains, traditionally, in U.S Officials from the National Security Council (NSC) accompany the communication from the Oval Office while the president speaks on the phone with the foreign leader. Officials are also sitting in a secure room in another part of the White House, listening to the call and taking notes known as a “phone conversation memo.”

The BBC adds that the president’s calls with foreign leaders are also transcribed by computers, and note-takers subsequently compare their impressions with an electronic version of the call. “Staff notes and computerized transcripts are combined into one document. This transcription may not be perfect, but it is done with the care that time and resources allow.”, Says the media.

United States President Joe Biden. (Photo: AP) (Susan Walsh /)

Francesco Tucci, Italian international analyst and professor at the PUCP, recalls that with all the technological limitations that existed before, especially in the Cold War, the direct line was used more, the telephone, but that this did not allow a total communication because it has reduced impact.

“Must take into account the great relevance that people who were translating what was said had in the Cold War. The leaders of the great powers communicated with each other in real time, but through translators. It was not possible to see the eyes, nor all the non-verbal communication. Nowadays with the video call you have to take care of that too. The video call is one more tool to clarify and avoid an eventual escalation, so it can be a powerful tool, especially in a pandemic situation like the current one.”, He tells El Comercio.

The White House has not ruled out a face-to-face meeting between the two presidents, but says nothing is planned at the moment. (Photo: White House)

He adds that video calls or video conferences have pros and cons. They can be very useful to reduce a situation of tension and avoid an escalation like the one that is happening now between the United States and Russia, but they will only fulfill their function “if the two leaders are willing to find a middle ground, a position that at least comes close to being positive for both of them”.

LAST CALLS

For the most part, calls between leaders are reserved for important reasons. In the case of the last conversation of this type between Putin and Biden – the second in less than a month – it should be considered that it takes place shortly before the meeting that will take place on January 10, 2022 between NATO and representatives of Russia.

“In January there will also be a meeting between OSCD and Russian representatives, so these video conferences and video calls can help reduce tensions, but it clearly depends on the attitude of politicians and non-verbal communication will also be relevant.”, emphasizes Tucci.

Biden also spoke with French President Enmanuel Macron in September following the Australian submarine crisis triggered by the secret agreement announced by the United States to provide Australia with submarines despite the fact that France had signed a multimillion-dollar contract with Canberra to do so.

During the call, the US president “acknowledged” that he could have consulted more with France on the matter. The call, which lasted about 30 minutes, was “a step to get back to normal in a long and important relationship”Said the White House.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has also had tense moments with the United States. Biden went on to say that practically the Chinese president did not have democracy in his DNA.

Joe Biden has had a few videoconferences with Xi Jinping. (Photo: Reuters)

“They are strong statements especially during a trade war. In the case of Jinping and Biden, as they had several phone conversations, that has clearly helped. However, it is a tool that can help, but it depends on the intentions of both parties. If they only do it to comply or if they really want to find a solution to the issue“Tucci emphasizes.

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