Biden goes head to head with Putin as tensions rise between U.S. and Russia

President Biden traded the warm welcome of European allies Wednesday for his first sit-down as head of state with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a time when relations between Washington and Moscow are arguably at their worst since the Cold War.

But both leaders opened the meeting with gestures of respect. Putin, notorious for late arrivals intended to make his rivals wait, pulled into the driveway of the summit site first and ahead of schedule.

Biden, whose armored limousine pulled up 15 minutes later at the front door of the picturesque 18th century villa where talks are occurring, stood with Putin as Swiss President Guy Parmelin welcomed them. And Biden was the first to reach out his right arm as the two men stepped toward one another and shook hands, later gesturing for Putin to enter the villa ahead of him.

Inside, where the two leaders sat side by side in a wood-paneled library, their flags behind them, a globe of the world between them, Putin spoke first. “The U.S. and Russian relations have a lot of issues accumulated that require the highest-level meeting,” said the Russian leader, expressing hope for “productive” talks.

Biden thanked Putin ahead of the talks, which aides said could last four to five hours. “As I said outside, it’s always better to meet face to face.” And in an aside that appeared to elevate Russia’s positioning on the world stage, Biden referred to the U.S. and Russia as “two great powers.”