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Biden-Putin summit highlights: 'I did what I came to do,' Biden said

Putin called the summit in Geneva "constructive" and without "hostility."

ByLibby Cathey, Lauren King, and Morgan Winsor
Last Updated: June 16, 2021, 5:41 PM EDT

U.S. President Joe Biden held a high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday at what the leaders agree is a "low point" in the U.S.-Russia relationship.

The two men faced off inside an 18th-century Swiss villa, situated alongside a lake in the middle of Geneva's Parc de la Grange. The fifth American president to sit down with Putin, Biden has spoken with him and met him before, in 2016.

Having called Putin a "killer" and saying he's told him before he has no "soul," Biden told ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Cecilia Vega on Monday that he also recalled the Russian leader as being "bright" and "tough."

"And I have found that he is a -- as they say, when you used to play ball -- a worthy adversary," Biden said.

Highlights:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Jun 16, 2021, 8:00 AM EDT

Biden and Putin sit down for 1st summit meeting

Inside Villa La Grange, the high-stakes summit has officially kicked off.

Speaking to reporters briefly at the top of their first closed-door sit-down, Putin said he hoped for a "productive" meeting, and Biden said "it is always good to meet face-to-face."

U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia's President Vladimir Putin meet for the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021.
Denis Balibouse/Pool via Reuters

While the scene was chaotic, both leaders looked comfortable. Biden, who was the first to extend his hand for a handshake earlier, sat with his legs crossed, hands in his lap and was seen smiling at several points. Putin also leaned back in his chair, as he often does.

Seated in a library before their respective country's flag and with a globe in between, the pair were joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for the first small session of the day.

PHOTO: From left, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have their photos taken ahead of the US-Russia summit at the Villa La Grange, in Geneva on June 16, 2021.
From left, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have their photos taken ahead of the US-Russia summit at the Villa La Grange, in Geneva on June 16, 2021.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with U.S. President Joe Biden during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, June 16, 2021.
Mikhail Metzel/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

Jun 16, 2021, 7:39 AM EDT

Biden and Putin shake hands

Following brief remarks from Swiss President Guy Parmelin wishing them well, Biden and Putin shook hands in front of cameras, with both men grinning, before entering the summit site.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S President Joe Biden shake hands during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, Switzerland in Geneva, June 16, 2021.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Biden and Putin's meeting is expected to last four to five hours total with multiple sessions.

First, they're taking part in a small session, joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, ahead of a larger working session.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S President Joe Biden shake hands during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, June 16, 2021.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Biden and Putin are also expected to hold dueling, solo press conferences following the summit.

Jun 16, 2021, 7:30 AM EDT

Switzerland's president wishes Biden and Putin 'a fruitful meeting'

Swiss President Guy Parmelin wished Biden and Putin "a fruitful meeting" on Wednesday, just minutes before the two leaders sit down for their much-awaited bilateral summit in Geneva.

"On behalf of the Swiss government, I would like to welcome you to Geneva, the city of peace," Parmelin said in prepared remarks in French while welcoming them to Villa La Grange, where the meeting is taking place.

"It is an honor and a pleasure for Switzerland to host you here for this summit and, in accordance with its tradition of good offices, promote dialog and mutual understanding," he added. "I wish you both a fruitful meeting in the interest of your two countries and the world."

Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Swiss President Guy Parmelin and U.S. President Joe Biden pose for a photo at Villa La Grange prior to the U.S.-Russia summit, in Geneva, June 16, 2021.
Sputnik/Sergey Bobylev/Pool via Reuters

Jun 16, 2021, 7:22 AM EDT

Putin arrives at summit site ahead of Biden

At 7:04 a.m. ET, Putin's motorcade arrived at the summit site, Villa La Grange. While both leaders tend to run late, Putin was only four minutes behind his scheduled arrival, which came ahead of the American president.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Swiss President Guy Parmelin, right, as he arrives at Villa La Grange for the U.S.-Russia summit, in Geneva on June 16, 2021.
Denis Balibouse/Pool via AFP-Getty Images

Reporters shouted questions at Putin when he exited his car and was greeted by the Swiss president. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin steps down the stairs from his airplane in Geneva, June 16, 2021
Alessandro Della Valle/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

"Do you trust President Biden?" they asked. "How are you feeling sir?"

Putin did not engage.

-ABC News' Jordyn Phelps

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