Despite the smiles, relations between the US and Russia are at a low point.
Keystone / Maxim Shipenkov
United States President Joe Biden will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the neutral ground of Geneva next month in an attempt to patch up deteriorating relations between the two super-powers.
“The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the US-Russia relationship,” read a White House statementExternal link issued on Tuesday.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev held talks in Geneva on Monday to pave the way for the presidential summit on June 16.
Relations between the two countries are at a low point with the US accusing Russia of interfering in its elections and of a series of cyberattacks against US targets. In addition, the two sides are at odds over Russian influence in Ukraine and of the jailing of opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
Tensions between Russia and the West have only been heightened this week by a key Russian ally, Belarus, diverting a Ryanair flight to Minsk to arrest a dissident journalist.
The impasse, which some observers have likened to the worst stages of the Cold War, recently saw ambassadors from both countries being temporarily withdrawn home for “consultations”.
Guy Parmelin, who holds the rotating Swiss presidency this year, tweeted that he welcomed the summit meeting on Swiss soil, which he hopes will bring benefits for the international community. His thoughts were echoed by Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, whose ministry said the meeting comes as part of the “long tradition of Swiss good offices”.
There was no immediate information available about the exact location of the summit.
More
More
What are Switzerland’s good offices good for?
This content was published on
As tensions and oil prices rise in the Middle East, the Swiss foreign ministry is offering its good offices. But what are they?
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Minsk ‘hijacking’: Swiss call for release of Belarusian journalist
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry has joined the EU and US in calling for the release of Roman Protasevich, who was forced off a Ryanair flight.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.