President Joe Biden issued another warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone Friday. According to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Biden told Putin he must “take action” against cybercriminals acting in his country.
Psaki answered reporters questions in Friday’s press briefing. “Well, I think as the readout makes clear, he reiterated that the United States will take any necessary action to defend its people and its critical infrastructure,” Psaki said. “And he also reiterated his expectation that President Putin take action even if it is not directed by the Russian government and if it is because of criminal actors in his own country.”
Psaki defended the positive tone of a readout of the call between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that it was “Consistent with the president’s view that diplomacy includes working together where there is opportunity and agreement.”
The latest conversation between Biden and Putin follows a series of ransomware attacks on corporations and infrastructure.
The latest attack, which experts have linked to the Russian-based REvil hacking group, caused widespread disruption last weekend. As many as 1,500 businesses were affected. “While REvil, we know operates in Russia and other countries around the world and we don’t have additional or new information suggesting the Russian government directed these attacks, we also know and we also believe that they have a responsibility, they have a responsibility to take action,” Psaki said.
A May attack on Colonial Pipeline caused the company to temporarily halt operations. Colonial supplies roughly half the fuel consumed on the east coast. The company paid roughly $4.4 million in ransom. U.S. authorities were able to get a large chunk of that ransom in a law enforcement operation last month.
Hackers also extorted an $11 million ransom payment from JBS SA, the world’s largest meat processor.
The conversation also comes less than a month after the two leaders met in Geneva, when Biden warned against continuing cyberattacks.
