OREANDA-NEWS. Presidents of Russia and the USA, Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, greeted each other in Geneva by shaking hands, RIA Novosti correspondent reports.

Putin was the first to come to the place of meeting, Villa La Grange, where the talks will take place. Biden joined him after about 12 minutes. After taking pictures with Swiss President Guy Parmelin, they shook hands and retired to negotiations. The first to extend his hand was the President of the United States.

Negotiations between the presidents of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, in a narrow format have begun, as RIA Novosti reports.

Earlier, the Kremlin noted that the negotiations will consist of three parts: narrow and two extended with a break for tea and coffee. The first will also be attended by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as well as translators.

A joint press conference is not expected, each leader of the state will speak to journalists separately after the talks.

It is reported that the presidents of Russia, the United States and Switzerland, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden and Guy Parmelin took a joint photo before the start of the Russian-American summit in Geneva, observing a social distance.

This is the first meeting between Putin and Biden.