The Bottom Line

What is the ‘Great Game’ between Russia and the United States?

Until Putin and Biden find a way to compromise on Ukraine, their summer summit will be mostly toothless.

Dimitri Simes has been in the thick of United States-Russia relations for the past five decades. Born in Moscow, he arrived in Washington in the 1970s and never left. He has advised US Presidents Richard Nixon and Donald Trump, and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Simes says relations will not “reset” between the two countries unless they compromise on Ukraine, which both consider part of their “backyard”. Until then, they can only talk about cooperating on climate change and nuclear proliferation.

Join host Steve Clemons in a wide-ranging interview with Simes, the CEO of the Center for the National Interest in Washington.