The big picture: Neither side believesthat substantive agreement will come from the meeting.
- Biden is expected to raise concerns about Russia's election interference, harboring of cyber criminals, crackdown on dissidents, detention of American citizens, and aggression toward Ukraine.
- Axios World editor Dave Lawler writes: "All of Biden's predecessors on this list came into office hoping to improve relations with Russia. Biden's goals are more modest: to work together on the few issues, like nuclear security, where interests overlap, and to avoid crises that will cause relations to deteriorate any further."
A senior administration official said the White House is seeking "three basic things":
- "First, a clear set of taskings about areas where working together can advance our national interest and make the world safer."
- "Second, a clear laydown of the areas of America’s vital national interests, where Russian activities that run counter to those interests will be met with a response."
- "And third, a clear explication of the president’s vision for American values and our national priorities."
What to watch: The two leaders will not hold a joint press conference. Putin will speak to the press at noon EDT, and Biden will follow.
Who will be in the room, per CNN:
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken,
- National security adviser Jake Sullivan,
- Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland,
- The National Security Council's top Russia adviser Eric Green
- U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan
In photos
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A plane carrying Putin lands at Geneva Airport. Photo: Sergei Bobylev\TASS via Getty Images
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Putin steps down the stairs from his airplane. Photo: Alessandro Della Valle/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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Russian and U.S. flags on the Mont-Blanc bridge ahead of the summit in Geneva on June 16, 2021. Photo: Pierre Albouy / AFP / Getty
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Officials stand near the entrance of the Villa La Grange prior to the U.S.-Russia summit in Geneva. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
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The room at Villa La Grange where the two leaders will meet Photo: Sergei Bobylev\TASS via Getty Images
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Valery Gerasimov, Russia's first deputy defense minister and chief of the general staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Putin Dmitry Peskov, and Putin aide Yuri Ushakov (L-R) talk ahead of the summit at the Villa La Grange. Photo: Mikhail Metzel\TASS via Getty Images
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
