Putin “knows there are consequences” if there’s more election meddling or cyberattacks: Biden

GENEVA, Jun 16, 2021, CNN. Following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Joe Biden was asked about what consequences there will be if there is further election meddling or other cybersecurity attacks against the US, CNN reported.

“He knows there are consequences,” Biden told reporters in Geneva. “He knows I will take action.”

Biden continued: “Let’s get this straight: How would it be if the United States were viewed by the rest of the world as interfering with the elections directly of other countries and everybody knew it? What would it be like if we engaged in activities that he’s engaged in? It diminishes the standing of a country that is desperately trying to make sure it maintains its standing as a major world power.”

President Joe Biden told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Wednesday that certain areas of “critical infrastructure” should be off-limits for cyberattacks, Biden said at a press conference afterward.

Biden said he outlined 16 specific entities that are defined as critical infrastructure, including energy and water, that both sides should agree are out of bounds for cyberwar.

“The principle is one thing, it has to be backed up by practice,” Biden said. “Responsible countries need to take action against criminals who conduct ransomware activities on their territory.
Biden did not say how Putin responded beyond saying both sides agreed to task experts to “work on specific understandings on what’s off limits and to follow up on specific cases.

Biden said in response to a follow-up question that he told Putin the US has “significant cyber capability” and would respond to further cyberattacks.

“He knows it. He doesn’t know exactly what it is, but he knows it’s significant,” Biden said. “If in fact they violate his basic norms, we will respond.”