Switzerland Ready To Host Meeting Of Ukrainian And Russian Heads Of State

• 19.08.2025, 16:35

The country promised not to arrest Putin if he came to the summit with Zelensky.

Switzerland is ready to host a trilateral meeting between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The latter is promised immunity from criminal prosecution, Swissinfo reported.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis confirmed during a press conference with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani that Geneva is "more than ready" to host the summit between Russia and Ukraine. The minister said Switzerland has a lot of experience in diplomacy.

"I believe 200% in hosting this summit and we have been discussing it for a long time," he said.

Kassis said Russia is aware of Switzerland's readiness, including having been informed of it by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Kassis also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni, who have backed Switzerland.

Most importantly, Kassis promised that Switzerland would grant the Russian dictator "immunity" from prosecution by the International Criminal Court if he "comes to the peace conference."

Arrest Warrant for Putin

On March 17, 2023, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russian ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova. The suspicion relates to the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Russia.

The warrant obliges all signatory countries to the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC, to arrest the Russian dictator as soon as he sets foot on their territory. In practice, the ICC cannot enforce the decision - for example, in 2024, Mongolia, a member of the Rome Statute, did not arrest Putin.

At the same time, the Russian dictator is still wary of traveling to most of the countries that signed the Rome Statute, as he does not rule out that they may indeed try to arrest him.