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The proposed peace summit would bring together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and US President Donald Trump.
The ICC issued arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin in March 2023 (Image Credit: Reuters)
Switzerland has officially expressed its interest in hosting the proposed trilateral meeting as part of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks. On Tuesday, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis released a statement confirming the country’s willingness to serve as the summit’s venue, while also guaranteeing “immunity” to Russian President Vladimir Putin from the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, reported Reuters.
The proposed peace summit would bring together Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and US President Donald Trump. Although the date and location have not yet been finalised, multiple venues across Europe are being considered. According to reports, the US Secret Service is currently assessing security arrangements in Budapest, Hungary, making it one of the top contenders. However, Switzerland has now formally offered to host the meeting in Geneva.
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“We have always signalled our willingness, but it naturally depends on the will of the major powers,” said Cassis. The Swiss government has also addressed the legal implications surrounding President Putin’s visit. The ICC issued arrest warrants against him in March 2023 over alleged war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict. Geneva has proposed to grant Putin immunity if he enters Swiss territory for the purpose of attending peace talks.
Budapest remains another potential venue. Hungary, having withdrawn from the ICC earlier this year, also offers a safe legal environment for Putin to attend the summit without fear of arrest. It is still unclear which location will ultimately be selected for the high-stakes meeting.
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly endorsed Geneva as the venue, citing Switzerland’s long-standing reputation as a neutral host for diplomatic negotiations. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also supported the idea, stating that Geneva “could be the right venue.”
As locations continue to be discussed, the Kremlin has not yet formally confirmed Putin’s willingness to meet with Zelenskyy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Tuesday, “Any contacts involving top officials must be prepared with the utmost care.”
However, according to several European Union representatives who were present at Monday’s meeting at the White House, President Putin has agreed in principle to meet Zelenskyy within the next two weeks. While the exact date and venue remain undecided, the officials confirmed that Putin has accepted the proposal for a trilateral summit.
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