Now that the conversations between Donald Trump, VolodyMyr Zensky and the European leaders are on it, a direct meeting between Zensky and Vladimir Putin is mentioned as the next step. The question is where that conversation must take place.
It is anything but certain that there will be a meeting between Putin and Zensky at all. Zensky has emphasized that he wants to talk directly with Putin and according to Trump, Putin is also agreeing. But so far, Russia has not confirmed that Putin is prepared for a direct conversation.
Nevertheless, AFP news agency reports that Russian President Moscow would have presented as a meeting place. According to two insiders, Putin would have suggested that on Monday evening during a telephone conversation with Trump.
The idea of gathering in Moscow would have been presented to Zensky. He would have made it clear to feel nothing for that. The European leaders would also have told Trump that Putin’s proposal “doesn’t seem like a good idea”.
Switzerland offers itself
According to foreign minister Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland is willing to receive Putin and Zensky, despite the international arrest warrant issued against Putin by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The order has been issued for the alleged illegal robbery of Ukrainian children through Russia since the Invasion by the Kremlin.
Although Switzerland has signed the ICC Convention, Cassis emphasized that Putin is welcome when his visit is focused on peace negotiations. “Mr. Putin welcomes in Switzerland without being arrested is 100 percent feasible,” Cassis told Swiss broadcaster SRF on Tuesday.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron Geneva already mentioned a suitable location for a possible peace consultation between the two leaders. Cassis appreciated this trust and expressed his gratitude through Swiss media.
Switzerland has a history as a diplomatic center. In 2021, for example, Geneva was the location of the meeting between the then American President Joe Biden and Putin. Last year, Switzerland organized a two -day peace conference on Ukraine in Bürgenstock. The Russian delegation was then not invited, after Russia had indicated several times that he was not interested in participating.
US would argue for meeting in Budapest
According to Polico, the United States argues for Budapest as the location for the conversation. The White House has not yet confirmed this and indicates to still look for a suitable location.
Although Hungary left the ICC earlier this year, that decision will only be officially from 2 June 2026. It is also unlikely that Putin will be arrested if he comes to have peace conversations in Budapest.
Although Hungary borders Ukraine, relations between the two countries are tense. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly delayed Ukrainian auxiliary packages and blocked Russian sanctions. Orbán maintains close ties with Putin and Trump, who go back to the first term of office of the US president.
Because of the Memorandum of Budapest from 1994, Hungary can also be seen as a sensitive choice for Ukraine. In this agreement, the US, the United Kingdom and Russia promised to respect the independence and limits of Ukraine, in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons.
However, the Russian invasion of 2014 showed that these promises were worth little, because none of the countries then offered military support to defend Ukraine.
Now That the Talks Between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zensky, and European Leaders are over, a direct meeting between Zensky and Vladimir Putin is Being Mentioned as the Next Step. The Question is where that conversation should take place.
It is far from certain that a meeting between putin and zensky will take place at all. Zensky Has Emphasized That Het Wants To Speak Directly With Putin, and According to Trump, Putin is also open to this. But so far, russia has not confirmed that putin is willing to have a direct conversation.
However, News Agency AFP Reports That the Russian President Has Propose Moscow As A Meeting Place. Accordance to two insiders, putin suggested this on Monday Evening a telephone conversation with Trump.
The Idea of Meeting in Moscow Has Been presented to Zensky. He reportedly made it clear that he had no interest in it. European leaders have also reportedly told Trump that putin’s proposal “Doesn’t Seem like a good idea”.
Switzerland sacrifices itself
Accordance to Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland is prepared to Receive Putin and Zelensky, Despite The International judgment Warrant Issued Against Putin by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Warrant was Issued because of the Alleged Illegal Abduction of Ukrainian Children by Russia Since the Kremlin’s Invasion.
AltheHeH Switzerland Has Signed the ICC Treaty, Cassis Emphasized That Putin Is Welcome If His Visit Is Aimed At Peace Negotiations. “Welcoming Mr. Putin in Switzerland Him Being arrested is 100 percent feasible,” Cassis Told Swiss Broadcaster SRF on Tuesday.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron had Already Called Geneva a Suitable Location for a Possible Peace Consultation Between the Two Leaders. Cassis appreciated this confidence and expressed his Gratitude through Swiss Media.
Switzerland has a history as a diplomatic center. For Example, Geneva was The Location of the Meeting Between President Joe Biden and Putin in 2021. Last year, Switzerland Organized A Two-Day Peace Conference on Ukraine in Bürgenstock. The Russian Delegation was not invited then, after Russia had Indicated Several Times that it was not interested in participating.
US Reportedly Advocates Meeting in Budapest
Accordance to polico , The United States is lawying for Budapest as the location for the conversation. The white house has not yet confirmed this and indicates that it is still looking for a suuitable location.
AltheHeGHUY WITHDREW FROM THE ICC EARLIER THIS YEAR, That Decision Will Not Official Take Effect Until June 2, 2026. It is also Unlikely That Putin Will Be HE Comes To Budapest For Peace Talks.
Althegh Hungary Borders Ukraine, Relations between the Two Countries Are Strained. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán Has Repeatedly Delayed Ukrainian Aid Packages and Blocked Russian Sanctions. Orbán Maintains Close Ties with Putin and Trump, Dating Back to the American President’s First Term.
MoreOover, due to the budapest memorandum of 1994, Hungary can be seen as a sensitive choice for ukraine. In This Agreement, The US, The United Kingdom, and Russia Promised to Respect The Independence and Borders of Ukraine in Exchange for Giving Up its Nuclear Weapons.
However, The Russian Invasion in 2014 Showed That Promises Were Werth Little, As None of the Countries Then Offered Military Support to Defend Ukraine.