Switzerland, Austria say would host ICC-wanted Putin for peace talks

Switzerland and Austria stated Tuesday (August 19, 2025) that they might host Russian President Vladimir Putin if he got here for talks on peace in Ukraine, regardless of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant.

French President Emmanuel Macron raised the opportunity of a peace summit between Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy being held in Europe, in “a impartial nation, perhaps Switzerland”.

“I’m pushing for Geneva,” he stated in an interview aired earlier Tuesday (August 19, 2025) on French information channel LCI.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis advised a press convention that, beneath sure circumstances, Mr. Putin could be allowed to set foot in Switzerland.

Last yr, the Swiss authorities outlined “the foundations for granting immunity to an individual beneath a global arrest warrant. If this individual comes for a peace convention — not if they arrive for personal causes”, Mr. Cassis stated.

Mr. Cassis stated Switzerland was totally ready to host such a gathering and highlighted the militarily impartial nation’s lengthy experience within the discipline.

However, he identified that Russia had gone chilly on Switzerland, which has determined to match the sanctions imposed by the neighbouring European Union since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

‘Long custom’

In neighbouring Austria, the chancellery stated ought to peace talks happen on its soil, it might get in contact with the ICC “to make it doable for President Putin to attend”.

Chancellor Christian Stocker stated he had already provided Vienna as a doable venue for negotiations to Mr. Zelenskyy throughout the Ukrainian President’s go to in June.

“Our capital has an extended custom as a spot of dialogue,” he stated in a press release, evoking Vienna internet hosting a number of worldwide organisations.

Austria — a member of the EU however not NATO — sought shut ties with Russia up to now, however relations deteriorated after Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Switzerland permitted Russia’s participation at a gathering of parliamentary audio system final month, with Valentina Matviyenko, President of the higher home of Russia’s Federal Assembly, attending regardless of worldwide sanctions.

Switzerland stated it acted in accordance with regulation and worldwide agreements.

Swiss authorities could authorise exemptions from journey restrictions, “notably if the individual is travelling to take part in a global convention,” a Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman advised AFP on the time.

Mr. Putin is needed by the ICC for the conflict crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian kids.

Mr. Putin final visited Geneva for his June 2021 summit with then-President Joe Biden.

The most up-to-date bilateral talks between Russia and Ukraine occurred in Istanbul. Türkiye is taken into account extra pleasant by Moscow, regardless of its membership of NATO. Türkiye shouldn’t be an ICC member.