Geneva: US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the start of their first summit on Wednesday in Geneva. Joe Biden and Putin shook hands and greeted each other after standing with their host, Swiss President Guy Parmelin outside the La Grange Villa.

The two Presidents are set to meet for up to five hours on the issues with cyber attacks, election meddling and rights abuses among the many contentious issues on the agenda.

The two leaders exchanged a few cordial remarks sitting in the Plush Villa’s renowned library, on either side of a globe and with their respective flags behind them, before the accompanying journalists were asked to leave.

Putin thanked Biden for your initiative to meet today. Putin said I hope that our meeting will be productive; our two country relations have a lot of issues accumulated that require the highest-level meeting.

Biden said to Putin it is always better to meet face to face, he took the initiative for the summit itself but also for that first handshake, smiled.

Switzerland President Parmelin told to Biden and Putin that it was an honour and a pleasure for Switzerland to host you here for this summit, and in accordance with its tradition of good offices, promote dialogue and mutual understanding. I wish you both presidents a fruitful dialogue in the interests of your two countries and the world.