GENEVA, June 15. / TASS /. Security measures have been tightened near the InterContinental Hotel in Geneva, where US President Joe Biden will stay ahead of the summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. According to a TASS correspondent, concrete blocks have been placed in front of the hotel, police officers are on duty and passers-by are asked to move around.

The American flag has already been hoisted in front of the five-star hotel, with law enforcement apparently receiving their final instructions for the next few days. The shrubs around the hotel have been fenced off with barbed wire and black plastic wrap. A helicopter is patrolling above us, new police units, including motorbikes, continue to arrive.

“During the day, the measures here will also be considerably reinforced,” one of the law enforcement officials told the TASS correspondent. “At the moment you can still walk alongside the hotel but, please, no photos,” he asked.

Biden is expected today in Geneva in the middle of the day, he will meet with the Swiss management. His procession will most likely arrive at the hotel from the airport along the Route de Ferney, which leads into the city center. It is included in the security zone but is so far partially open, vehicles are stopped and redirected only around 500 meters from the hotel.

As the Kremlin and the White House reported earlier, Putin and Biden’s meeting will take place on June 16 in Geneva. According to the press service of the Russian head of state, the two leaders plan to discuss the conditions and prospects for strengthening Russian-American relations, issues of strategic stability as well as urgent issues on the international agenda, in particular cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus. pandemic and resolve regional conflicts. It will be the first face-to-face meeting between Putin and Biden since the US president took office. The summit will take place at Villa La Grange.