Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin meet in Geneva for first face-to-face summit
President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin are expected to speak for 4 to 5 hours.
Biden has tried to decrease expectations for the meeting . He is not expecting many deliverables.
Putin has met 5 U.S. presidents since coming to power in 1999.
Biden has described Putin as "a worthy adversary."
President Joe Biden's first face-to-face meeting as president with Russian President Vladimir Putin was underway Wednesday in Geneva following a weeklong European tour in which Biden reaffirmed U.S. alliances and reiterated his message that "America is back" on the world stage.
Biden's first international day trip as president culminates with particularly expected talks with Putin that are anticipated to last at least 4 hours, a senior administration official informed reporters aboard Air Force One. The two leaders are predicted to focus on nuclear arms, cyberattacks and human rights, the official told newshounds on the situation of anonymity in order to discuss the summit.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin made a few quick remarks welcoming the two leaders, before Biden and Putin shook hands, looked at every other, smiled and then entered the 18th-century villa where their talks are taking place. Parmelin stated he wished the leaders a "fruitful dialogue in the interest of your two nations and the world."
Once inside, Biden mentioned it was "always better to meet face-to-face" and Putin added he hoped the meeting would be "productive."
There was pushing and shoving via the traveling U.S. and Russian press pool as they jostled to enter the villa and appeared to be restricted by Russian security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S President Joe Biden shake hands during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, Switzerland in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
Biden says Putin is 'a worthy adversary'
Biden has sought to tamp down expectations about the excessive stakes meeting but earlier this week told newshounds he planned to take a tough line on issues including a current string of cyberattacks and Russian aggression in Ukraine but also discover areas of mutual interest where they could cooperate.