Switzerland and Serbia have expressed their willingness to host the Trump-Putin peace summit, aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine. The talks are expected to bring U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin together to explore diplomatic solutions to the conflict.
Trump Seeks to End Ukraine War
Donald Trump, who will take office next Monday, announced plans to arrange direct talks with Putin. He has promised to swiftly bring an end to the Ukraine conflict.
Switzerland has confirmed its readiness to host the proposed talks. However, the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Putin complicates matters. The warrant accuses Putin of involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Swiss official Nicolas Bideau explained that the country can make exceptions for peace negotiations despite its obligation to enforce the warrant.
Serbia Promotes Itself as an Ideal Host
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has also offered Serbia as a venue, emphasizing its neutrality and the popularity of both leaders there.
“Serbia provides unmatched support for President Trump outside the U.S.,” Vučić stated. He added that President Putin remains widely admired in Serbia. Vučić highlighted that Serbia’s non-membership in NATO and neutral stance in global conflicts make it an excellent choice for hosting the summit.
Vučić has maintained a neutral position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict by refraining from sanctions against Moscow. He believes this neutrality, coupled with Serbia’s favorable standing with both Trump and Putin, strengthens its candidacy as the meeting location.
Talks in Progress
Trump recently stated that “Putin wants to meet,” with the Kremlin signaling its openness to dialogue. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed that preparations for the meeting have begun.
The format of the talks has not yet been determined, including whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will participate. Waltz expects at least a preliminary phone call between Trump and Putin in the coming weeks.
Trump’s claim that he could resolve the war in a single day has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials. Kyiv worries that U.S. support, which has been critical during the conflict, may decrease under Trump.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues to provide significant aid to Ukraine. A recent $500 million military package aims to bolster Ukraine’s position in potential peace discussions.
As the plans for a Trump-Putin summit develop, the international community closely monitors progress, hoping for meaningful steps toward ending the war in Ukraine.