Switzerland would grant President Vladimir Putin temporary legal immunity if he enters the country for a Ukraine peace conference, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said on 19 August. The offer means Swiss authorities would not act on the International Criminal Court’s 2023 arrest warrant for the Russian leader during any visit tied strictly to negotiations. Cassis told national broadcaster SRF that the policy stems from rules adopted by the federal government in 2024 allowing immunity for individuals facing international arrest orders when they travel to Switzerland for peace talks. He argued the exemption is consistent with Switzerland’s tradition of neutrality and with Geneva’s role as a United Nations hub. The announcement follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that Geneva host prospective talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. While no summit date has been set, the Swiss pledge could remove a major legal hurdle to Putin’s attendance.