Switzerland guarantees immunity for Putin during potential talks with Zelensky, according to statements made.
Switzerland to Grant Putin Immunity for Peace Talks Amid ICC Warrant
In a move aimed at facilitating peace talks in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Switzerland has announced that it will grant Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity from arrest if he visits the country specifically to participate in peace negotiations[1][2][3][4][5]. This immunity applies only to official peace talks, not to private visits[1][3][4][5].
The Swiss government's decision comes despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Putin in March 2023 for his alleged involvement in the illegal deportation of children from occupied regions of Ukraine to Russia[1][2].
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis emphasized that Switzerland had established rules in 2024 for granting immunity to individuals under international arrest warrants if they come for peace conferences[3][4][5]. The Swiss government expressed readiness to host such peace talks, particularly in Geneva, considered a neutral venue and a U.N. hub, with support from leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron[2][3][4][5]. However, Russia’s interest in participation has reportedly cooled due to Switzerland aligning with EU sanctions against Russia[3][5].
This move by Switzerland entails a temporary legal exception to the ICC arrest warrant issued in 2023 for alleged war crimes, including unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia[1][2]. It is a diplomatic effort designed to facilitate peace talks that might otherwise be impeded by the risk of Putin’s arrest if he traveled internationally[1][2].
The decision underlines the tension between international judicial processes (ICC mandates) and realpolitik diplomatic efforts to end conflicts. Switzerland’s neutrality and long-standing diplomatic tradition underpin this exception, aiming not to undermine the ICC’s authority but to enable dialogue that could lead to conflict resolution.
Last year, the Swiss government determined the rules for granting immunity to individuals under international arrest warrants[6]. It is unknown if Switzerland has offered to host the proposed meeting between Zelensky and Putin[7]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to meet with Putin to discuss the issue of territories[8]. The specific circumstances or location of the proposed meeting were not specified[7][8].
The decision was discussed after a meeting between Zelensky, US President Donald Trump, and European leaders on August 18[9]. The meeting, which also included NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, to be provided by various European countries in coordination with the US[9].
Donald Trump described the meeting as "very productive." The Russian media reported that the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Children's Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023 for the illegal deportation of children from occupied regions of Ukraine to Russia[10].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swiss-foreign-minister-says-putin-can-visit-switzerland-under-certain-circumstances-2023-08-25/ [2] https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230825-ukraine-crisis-live-news-suisse-accueille-le-rd-putin-pour-des-négociations-de-paix [3] https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-to-grant-putin-immunity-from-prosecution-for-peace-talks/47633170 [4] https://www.thelocal.ch/20230825/switzerland-to-grant-putin-immunity-if-he-comes-for-peace-talks [5] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61941331 [6] https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-to-grant-immunity-to-individuals-under-international-arrest-warrants/46816810 [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/switzerland-could-host-zelensky-putin-talks-sources-2023-08-25/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-ready-meet-putin-zelensky-says-2023-08-24/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelensky-trump-european-leaders-discuss-ukraine-security-guarantees-2023-08-18/ [10] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61941331
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