Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic said on January 12 that Serbia is eager to host a meeting between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing the country’s neutrality as a key advantage for the potential peace talks.

The Serbian leader’s comments come after Trump announced on January 9 that plans for a meeting with Putin were in the works, although no specific details have emerged. Switzerland has put forward a similar proposal to host talks, but there are practical obstacles to holding the talks in either country, leading to speculation that the two leaders might meet in another country outside Europe. 

In an interview with state broadcaster RTS, Vucic said that Serbia could guarantee full security for both leaders and stressed that Belgrade’s independence from military alliances made it an ideal venue. Serbia is not a member of Nato or any other military bloc, positioning it as neutral ground for the high-profile talks.

Vucic noted Serbia’s unique position in the context of US-Russian relations, explaining that Trump had enjoyed the highest level of support in Serbia compared to any other European country.

"There is no country that can compare to Serbia in terms of the level of support for President Trump. And on the other hand, it's a country where President Putin is still very, very popular. So, I think it's a place on Earth that would be extremely suitable for both of them."

Serbia has maintained strong ties with Russia, particularly opposing sanctions imposed on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. However, Vucic has also emphasised that Serbia views Ukraine as a "friendly country" and reaffirmed that Crimea and Donbas remain Ukrainian sovereign territories.

The framework for the meeting between Trump and Putin is still under development, with incoming US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz indicating that a phone call between the two leaders would likely occur in the coming weeks to finalise details.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the political desire for such a meeting but noted that no significant preparations had been made as of January 13. “Such contacts are very necessary and advisable,” Peskov told RIA Novosti.

Serbia, which traces its geopolitical identity to its role as a non-aligned nation during the Cold War, is seeking to capitalise on its historical role as a diplomatic crossroads.

During the Cold War, Yugoslavia played a unique role in bridging the divide between East and West as part of the non-aligned movement. Today, Serbia maintains that legacy by balancing relations with global powers such as the EU, the US, China, Turkey and the UAE.

Despite its relatively marginal position as a landlocked country of fewer than 7mn inhabitants, Serbia believes, for right or wrong, that it can exert influence on the world stage, much like its Cold War predecessor.

By offering itself as a neutral venue for the Trump-Putin summit, Serbia aims to carve out a role for itself in international diplomacy, leveraging its unique geopolitical position and historical legacy as a bridge between East and West.

Vucic’s offer adds to the growing list of countries that have expressed interest in hosting the historic summit, with Switzerland also putting itself forward. 

Turkey, which has already acted as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is also seen as a potential location. 

A potential challenge to such a meeting taking place in either Serbia or Switzerland is the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Putin, issued over allegations of his involvement in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. 

However, while both countries would be legally obligated to arrest Putin if he enters the country, Nicolas Bideau, head of communications for Switzerland's Department of Foreign Affairs, said, as quoted by Euronews, that exceptions can be made for peace negotiations. 

Meanwhile, Oleg Barabanov, programme director of the Valdai International Club, a Moscow-based think-tank, told TASS that talks are unlikely to take place in Europe.

“There’s a lot of talk out there today about a potential meeting between Putin and Trump, with various proposals being floated. If it happens, it will only be after Trump is inaugurated and takes office. As for the venue, many options have been mentioned,” Barabanov said, according to TASS. 

“The way I see it, it will not be held in Europe. Clearly, Switzerland can be ruled out. Serbia is also not a good option. In all likelihood, it will be in some country in the developing world. Perhaps, on the sidelines of some international forum. In the case of Serbia, there is also a technical aspect involved: the Russian presidential aeroplane will have to fly over European Union countries. Serbia is unrealistic for this reason alone.”