Switzerland, Austria ready to give Putin immunity for peace talks
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that Austria may consider providing Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity from arrest if he travels to Vienna for peace negotiations.
Both Switzerland and Austria are prepared to grant Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity from arrest if he travels to their respective countries for peace negotiations, officials from both countries said.
Putin remains the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for his role in the systematic abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. As a signatory to the ICC, both Austria and Switzerland are legally obliged to enforce the warrant. However, officials indicated that a special exception might be possible for the peace talks.
"The goal of welcoming Mr. Putin to Switzerland without him being arrested is 100% achievable," Cassis told Swiss broadcaster SRF on Aug. 20. "We can determine this in a few days." He clarified that immunity would only apply for official peace talks, not for private visits.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry echoed similar comments on Aug. 21, Ukrinform reported.
"All participating states are obliged to execute ICC arrest warrants, as is Austria. At the same time, there is an opportunity, given the headquarters agreements with international organizations in Vienna, to contact the ICC to ensure Putin's participation," the Austrian Foreign Ministry said.
The offer comes amid renewed calls for a bilateral meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin. While efforts are ongoing to broker the meeting — particularly by U.S. President Donald Trump and Kyiv's European allies. In addition to Switzerland and Austria, Turkey and Hungary have been floated as a possible host for the peace talks.
Zelensky has repeatedly voiced readiness for direct negotiations. On Aug. 18, he said he was prepared to discuss territorial issues with Putin personally.
Ukraine reports that more than 19,500 children have been abducted by Russia during the full-scale war and forcibly transferred to Russia, the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, or Belarus. Only 1,545 have been returned home.
Last year, Switzerland hosted Ukraine's global peace summit in June, with around 100 countries and organizations in attendance. Seventy-eight states and four organizations signed the final joint communique, calling for Russia to release all prisoners of war and return all deported Ukrainian children, among other things.
