Putin: Russia open to hacker exchange with US
Recent cyberattacks on critical US infrastructure and companies have been blamed on Russian hackers. US President Joe Biden vowed to raise the issue during his meeting with President Vladimir Putin next week.
Moscow could hand over wanted hackers to Washington if the United States extradites its own cybercriminals to Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday.
He made the comments ahead of an expected extradition request by US President Joe Biden when the pair meet in Geneva on Wednesday.
Biden resolved to take action after several cybersecurity breaches, including ransomware attacks, on US companies and infrastructure in recent months, which are believed to have originated in Russia.
The most recent ransomware incidents targeted the US's largest vehicle fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline and top meat processor JBS earlier this month.
Ransom software works by encrypting victims' data. Typically hackers will offer the victim a key in return for cryptocurrency payments that can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
