Switzerland Ready to Host Ukraine-Russia Summit, Promises Putin Immunity
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said Tuesday that Switzerland is “more than ready” to host a potential peace summit between Ukraine and Russia, even pledging to grant Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Le Soir.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Bern with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Cassis highlighted Switzerland’s long-standing tradition as a mediator.
“I believe 200% in holding this summit, and we have been discussing it for a long time,” he said, adding that he had repeatedly conveyed Switzerland’s willingness to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Cassis thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for backing Geneva as a possible venue.
He underlined that Switzerland would ensure Putin’s immunity if he attended a peace conference. Tajani, while noting that Italy was also prepared to host such a meeting, stressed that Rome supported Geneva as the preferred location.
Macron has previously argued that a summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin should take place in Europe, and has promoted Geneva as the site. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the two leaders are expected to meet within the next two weeks.
The offer comes despite the ICC’s arrest warrant issued for Putin in March 2023, accusing him of responsibility for the illegal deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children.
As an ICC member state, Switzerland would normally be obliged to enforce the warrant, which requires the arrest of Putin should he travel to a member country.
Read more on The Gaze: Justice for Ukraine: Can Russia Be Held Accountable for the Crime of Aggression?