U.S.-Russia Summit: the dialogue in pictures

US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Geneva on 16 June. In the framework of the U.S.-Russia Summit, two bilateral meetings between representatives of the Swiss government and their counterparts from the USA and Russia took place before and after the event.

President of the Federal Council Guy Parmelin stands in front of the entrance, next to him Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and US President Joe Biden (right).

Bridge-builder: President of the Federal Council Guy Parmelin addresses the presidents of the USA and Russia in front of Villa La Grange. © FDFA, Alessandro della Valle

On 16 June 2021, all eyes were on Geneva: On that day, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for bilateral talks at the Villa La Grange on the shores of Lake Geneva. Switzerland, in close cooperation with the American and Russian delegations, had created the conditions for the smooth running of the summit. "We hope that the talks will have a positive effect both on the two countries and on the whole world," said the President of the Federal Council Guy Parmelin, who welcomed Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin to Villa La Grange.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis mentioned four key reasons why the summit is also good for Switzerland: "It is good for Switzerland's credibility in the world: a small, neutral state that deserves trust and has a solid democracy as well as social stability." The summit is also good for Swiss diplomacy, he said, which – thanks to Switzerland's linguistic and cultural diversity – can listen and help build bridges. The meeting of the two presidents in Geneva also increased Switzerland's visibility – not least thanks to the approximately 1250 media representatives from 44 countries who were accredited for the summit and whom the head of the FDFA addressed directly at a media conference after the conclusion of all the talks. Finally, the summit was also important for the pride of the Swiss people: "For it is they who decide on the foreign policy of our country," said Mr Cassis.

Innovation, education, the economy and good offices at the centre of USA-Switzerland talks in Geneva

Delegations from Switzerland and the USA met in Geneva in the run-up to the upcoming summit between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, 16 June 2021. The talks focused on further strengthening economic relations and cooperation in education and research.

Switzerland's good offices were also a topic of discussion. Both delegations acknowledged the active and long-standing relations between the two countries. Switzerland and the USA share values in many areas and are committed to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Switzerland welcomes the USA’s renewed commitment to multilateralism.

Meeting in Geneva with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin focuses on good offices and economic relations

A Swiss delegation led by the President of the Federal Council Guy Parmelin met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his delegation on Wednesday, 16 June, following the Geneva summit. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, security in Europe and Switzerland’s good offices. Both parties acknowledged their good and respectful relations, which include a close exchange on a number of topics.

A key issue of the talks was the security situation in Europe. Mr Parmelin expressed Switzerland’s concern – like that of other countries – over the deteriorating security situation and the ongoing loss of trust. The parties also discussed their cooperation in the two multilateral institutions in which Russia plays a central role, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Switzerland is committed to strengthening the OSCE, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. Multilateral dialogue and cooperation are more important than ever before, Mr Parmelin said.

Start of page