On Wednesday, all eyes will be on Geneva, Switzerland, where the first summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place in an effort to reach agreements to reduce tensions between the two nuclear powers. As the summit began, Biden and Putin were seen seated in chairs in front of a bookshelf, with photographers capturing the moment, sparking curiosity about the venue hosting the meeting.
According to the British newspaper "Daily Mail," the villa hosting this significant summit dates back to the 18th century and has previously welcomed major leaders. It features elegant furnishings in an antique style and is surrounded by a spacious green garden. The discussions between Biden and Putin are set to occur in the library of the "Villa de la Grange" for several hours, after which the leaders will move to a larger room accompanied by additional aides.
This prestigious villa has previously hosted Pope Paul VI and was also the venue for the first meeting between former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and then-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985. The villa was built by shipowner François Favre and sits on a 30-acre property in the heart of Geneva. The origins of the villa trace back to the 1660s, with the establishment of the garden on which the property was built. It began as a house constructed by a wealthy family in Geneva, later transformed into its modern form in the 18th century. The library was added in the 19th century by the owner's son, Guillaume, who was a prominent businessman and intellectual during the French Revolution.
