Switzerland ready to host meeting between Putin, Trump on Ukraine crisis

Switzerland is ready to facilitate a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, should the two leaders request it, according to Nicolas Bidault, a Swiss Foreign Ministry official.

Bidault emphasized that Switzerland has consistently expressed its willingness to support diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. However, he clarified that Swiss authorities would not initiate such talks, noting that Switzerland is merely one of several nations prepared to host the leaders, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The offer follows a statement by President-elect Trump on January 10, in which he confirmed preparations for a potential meeting with Putin to seek an end to the war in Ukraine. This comes as Trump approaches his inauguration and just under two weeks before he formally assumes office.

Trump, during his campaign, pledged to bring peace to Ukraine, which has been embroiled in a brutal conflict with Russia since February 2022. While he has not proposed specific ceasefire terms or a peace deal, Trump has suggested that large parts of Ukraine may need to be ceded to Russia to resolve the crisis.

In response, Putin's press secretary emphasized that any meeting would hinge on "mutual desire and political will," without requiring preconditions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced the opinion that Trump’s involvement could significantly impact the war’s outcome, potentially leading to a resolution that would help end the conflict with Russia.

By Khagan Isayev