On August 19, 2025, in Bern, Switzerland, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis declared that Switzerland is prepared to offer legal immunity to Russian President Vladimir Putin if he participates in peace talks held in the country concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine. This announcement comes despite an active arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Putin since 2023.
Cassis explained that the Swiss government established new rules last year regarding immunity for individuals under international arrest warrants, allowing exceptions if the person visits Switzerland specifically to attend a peace conference. The immunity does not apply to visits for personal reasons.
Switzerland, known for its long-standing military neutrality, is fully prepared to host such a meeting, Cassis said during a joint press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Bern. He emphasized Switzerland's experience in facilitating international diplomatic events.
The announcement follows recent diplomatic activities, including a meeting on August 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C., where U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and several European leaders discussed potential steps toward ending the conflict in Ukraine. Trump also confirmed a recent phone call with Putin and indicated plans for a bilateral meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also supported the idea of holding a peace summit in a neutral European country, possibly Switzerland, specifically Geneva. Macron stated his support for Geneva as a venue during an interview with French news channel LCI on August 19, 2025.
Despite Switzerland's offer, Cassis noted that Russia's willingness to engage with Switzerland has cooled since Berne aligned with European Union sanctions against Moscow following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Nevertheless, Cassis has maintained dialogue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about hosting peace talks.
Switzerland's position reflects its adherence to international law and diplomatic protocols, balancing its neutral stance with the realities of the ongoing conflict and international sanctions. The country recently allowed Russian parliamentary leaders to attend the World Conference of Presidents of Parliaments in Geneva in July 2025, despite sanctions, citing compliance with international agreements.
Putin currently faces an ICC arrest warrant issued in 2023 for alleged war crimes, including the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The Swiss government's offer of immunity is conditional on Putin's participation in official peace negotiations and does not extend to other types of visits.
The situation remains fluid as the Kremlin has not yet confirmed participation in a peace summit. However, Switzerland's announcement marks a significant diplomatic gesture aimed at facilitating dialogue to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
