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Switzerland and Serbia have volunteered to host a potential meeting between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks aim to address the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump Plans Talks to End Ukraine Conflict

Donald Trump, who will assume the presidency next Monday, revealed efforts to organize a meeting with Putin. He seeks to fulfill his promise to end the war in Ukraine swiftly.

Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry confirmed its willingness to host the talks. However, an obstacle is the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Putin, accusing him of involvement in deporting Ukrainian children to Russia. Swiss official Nicolas Bideau clarified that the country can grant exceptions for peace negotiations despite the legal requirement to arrest Putin.

Serbia Promotes Its Neutral Role

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić also offered his country as a venue, emphasizing its neutrality and the popularity of both leaders.

“Serbia shows greater support for President Trump than any other nation outside the U.S.,” Vučić stated. He added that President Putin remains highly admired in Serbia. Vučić argued that Serbia’s non-alignment with military alliances like NATO makes it a suitable location for such discussions.

Serbia has refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia, maintaining a balanced stance in the conflict. Vučić believes this neutrality strengthens Serbia’s case as an ideal host for the meeting.

Preparations Begin for Potential Meeting

Trump recently stated that “Putin wants to meet,” with the Kremlin confirming its openness to talks. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz announced that preparations are underway.

Details regarding the meeting, including the possibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s participation, remain undecided. Waltz expects at least a preliminary phone call between Trump and Putin in the coming weeks.

Trump’s claims of being able to resolve the war within a day have sparked concerns. Ukrainian officials fear a potential reduction in U.S. aid, as Trump has criticized current levels of support for Kyiv.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues providing military aid to Ukraine. A recent $500 million weapons package aims to bolster Ukraine’s position ahead of any potential negotiations.

The world closely observes as efforts to facilitate dialogue between Trump and Putin unfold, hoping for progress toward resolving the conflict.