President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin Will Meet at a Summit in Switzerland

The first face to face meeting between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place next month during a summit in Switzerland. According to the White House, “President Biden will meet with President Putin in Geneva, Switzerland on June 16th. The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship.” The agenda and format for the meeting is still being put together.

The summit will mark Biden’s first international trip since taking office. He is scheduled to depart Washington in early June to meet with world leaders at the group 7 summit in southwest England and NATO and European Union summits in Brussels then travel to Switzerland. According to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Biden plans to address Ukraine and Belarus during the meeting.  Biden proposed a summit with Putin last month during a telephone call and the two sides have been working to finalize details. The President hopes to establish a clear channel of communication.