As the world watches closely, both Switzerland and Serbia have extended invitations to host a potential meeting between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The offers come at a time when Trump is working to fulfill his promise of seeking a resolution to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Switzerland’s Neutral Stance and Legal Challenges

The Swiss Foreign Ministry expressed its readiness to facilitate peace talks between the two leaders, emphasizing Switzerland’s long-standing tradition of neutrality and diplomatic engagement. However, a potential hurdle to the meeting is an outstanding arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Putin for his alleged role in the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Despite this, Swiss authorities could grant an exception for peace negotiations, ensuring that diplomatic discussions can proceed without legal obstruction.

Serbia’s Position as a Neutral Venue

Serbia, led by President Aleksandar Vučić, has also offered to host the talks. Vučić believes Serbia’s political neutrality makes it an ideal location for a Putin-Trump summit. He highlighted the significant support for Trump within Serbia, claiming that no other country outside the U.S. had a higher approval rating for the former president. Vučić also pointed out that Putin remains highly popular in Serbia, making the country an attractive venue for a diplomatic meeting.

Serbia’s neutrality in the conflict, its refusal to impose sanctions on Russia, and its lack of affiliation with NATO make it an appealing choice for hosting talks between the two world leaders.

Plans for Future Talks and Global Reactions

Trump has been vocal about his desire to meet with Putin, even claiming that the Russian leader is eager for a conversation. The Kremlin has expressed openness to the idea, while Trump’s National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, confirmed that discussions were underway to prepare for a meeting. Though details regarding the format of the meeting, including the potential participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, remain uncertain, Trump’s team is working on organizing a conversation in the near future.

While the U.S. president-elect has sparked some concern about his stance on Ukraine and military aid, Ukrainian officials remain wary about the potential shift in American policy under Trump’s leadership.

As tensions remain high, the world waits to see whether this proposed summit could signal a turning point in the ongoing war in Ukraine.