Potential Host Countries for a Meeting Between Zelenskyy and Putin

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US President Donald Trump’s efforts to mediate a peace agreement ending the conflict in Ukraine have been praised as a “significant leap forward” after a landmark meeting with European officials.

As the conflict persists, several nations have extended offers to host a peace summit between Russia and Ukraine, also proposing to grant Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity from the charges he faces from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

While arranging direct talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could mark a crucial development, specifics regarding such a meeting are currently unclear, and Russia has yet to confirm its participation.

Trump expressed his intention to coordinate a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, which would be followed by a trilateral summit that includes his presence.

The US president mentioned on Tuesday that steps are being taken for Putin and Zelenskyy to arrange a meeting aimed at discussing the cessation of the war in Ukraine.

Where could a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting be held?

Several countries have been put forth as possible venues for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, including Switzerland and Austria.

Both countries have said they would be willing to allow Putin to travel there for peace talks, despite there being an arrest warrant for the Russian president by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Putin is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes, with the Russian president accused of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. Russia denies the charge.

Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis told a press conference that Putin would be allowed into Switzerland for the purposes of a peace conference, but not for private reasons.

Cassis said Switzerland was prepared to host a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, emphasising the neutral country’s suitability.

French President Emmanuel Macron is also pushing for the Swiss city of Geneva to host the talks.

Emmanuel Macron sitting in a chair. The bodies of two people in suits can be seen behind him.

French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Geneva, Switzerland, as a potential venue for the dialogue between Zelenskyy and Putin. Source: AAP / Pool / CNP / Sipa USA /Aaron Schwartz

Austria, meanwhile, has offered its capital, Vienna, as a location, saying it would contact the ICC “to make it possible” for Putin to attend.

“Our capital has a long tradition as a place of dialogue,” he said in a statement, referencing Vienna hosting several international organisations.

Other options that have been suggested include countries where the ICC warrant wouldn’t matter.

A White House official said Trump had discussed Hungary’s capital, Budapest, as a venue with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Tuesday.

Istanbul in Türkiye, where previous discussions between the two nations’ delegations were held, is also being considered, according to a senior administration official.

Hungary is one of the few European places that Putin could visit without fear of arrest on ICC charges. Orbán maintains close ties with Putin.

Last year, the Hungarian prime minister said his country would withdraw from the ICC as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — whom the ICC issued an arrest warrant for in November — visited the country.

Netanyahu also faces accusations that he is responsible for war crimes relating to the war in Gaza. Israel has rejected the accusations, saying they’re fuelled by antisemitism.

Türkiye is not an ICC member.

Agence France-Presse reported Putin proposed holding a summit with Zelenskyy in Moscow, according to three sources familiar with a call between Trump and the Russian leader.

One source said Zelenskyy immediately said no to meeting in the capital of his country’s invader.

Albanese speaks with ‘coalition of the willing’

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined a call with Ukrainian allies overnight, welcoming “ongoing efforts” towards an enduring peace.

Albanese joined a call with some of Ukraine’s allies — the “coalition of the willing” — to discuss additional sanctions against Russia.

“Australia continues to stand with Ukraine,” Albanese wrote on X.

The call was hosted by United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer and attended by other world leaders, some of whom also attended White House talks with Trump and Zelenskyy.

It was decided that talks between European countries and the US would occur to outline security guarantees for Ukraine, as reports indicate that Russia launched its most significant assault so far this month.

Russian attacks escalate, Trump clarifies security guarantees

Russia launched 270 drones and 10 missiles in an overnight attack on Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force said. The energy ministry said the strikes caused big fires at energy facilities in the central Poltava region, home to Ukraine’s only oil refinery.

However, Russia also returned the bodies of 1,000 dead Ukrainian soldiers on Tuesday, Ukrainian officials said. Russia received 19 bodies of its own soldiers in return, according to the state-run TASS news agency.

Trump said he ruled out putting US troops on the ground in Ukraine but said the US might provide air support as part of a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

A day after Trump pledged security guarantees to help end the war at a White House summit, the path to peace remained uncertain as the US and allies prepared to work out what military support for Ukraine might include.

“Regarding security, (Europeans) are prepared to deploy personnel on the ground. We’re ready to assist them with various measures, likely … from the air,” Trump said in a discussion with Fox News.

— With additional reporting by Reuters and Agence France-Presse