International-News

Putin-Zelensky summit, Geneva emerges as likely venue

Macron reaffirms Europe’s role, Switzerland ready to host. Tajani: “Italy in favor”

The city of Geneva is emerging as the most likely venue for a possible face-to-face meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, which many are already calling the “historic bilateral.” The idea is circulating at a time of intense diplomatic activity, between the Washington summit and the European Council video call, and is giving rise to cautious optimism for a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine.

Macron’s proposal and Italian support

It was French President Emmanuel Macron who relaunched the idea of a summit in the Swiss city, calling it ‘the meeting of the century’ and stressing the need for Europe to play a leading role on the international stage. Italy has thrown its weight behind the decision, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who was in Bern for the Swiss ambassadors’ conference, stating: “Rome would have been an ideal venue, but the issue of the International Criminal Court would have complicated matters. I believe Geneva is the best venue, and Italy is in favor of it.”

Swiss willingness and the issue of immunity

Switzerland has said it is ready to host the meeting. “It’s our specialty, we are available even at short notice,” assured Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, adding that Bern would grant Putin immunity, despite the international arrest warrant, on condition that his presence is linked to a peace conference. This clarification is based on rules set last year by the federal government.

Moscow’s positions and Trump’s role

From Moscow, Sergei Lavrov stressed that any agreement must guarantee Russian security, but did not rule out a summit between Putin and Zelensky, possibly extended to Donald Trump. The US president continues to act as the director of the negotiations, while reiterating that the United States will not deploy troops in Ukraine, contrary to what has been suggested by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

Tajani’s words

Tajani spoke of a ‘strong message to Putin’ sent by the political unity of the West in Washington, highlighting the convergence on the Italian proposal for a ‘NATO Article 5 model’ for Kiev’s security. ‘Our goal is peace, as long as it is just. If Russia accepts, so be it,“ said the foreign minister, who also urged against forcing the issue on elections in Ukraine: ”It is not up to us to decide when and how they will be held. First of all, peace must be achieved.”

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