White House allies say that Biden will go into the meeting with open eyes and well-prepared to confront Putin over Russia’s aggressive conduct and to lay out consequences for further provocations. Biden has faced criticism from certain corners for even setting the meeting, with some Republicans accusing him of rewarding Putin for destabilizing behavior. Biden has already spoken by phone with Putin to confront him over Russia's activities. ADVERTISEMENTHill also predicted that Putin would try to use U.S. political divisions against Biden in the meeting. And Putin knows that Biden is going in with a massive disadvantage.
