Vienna has joined the list of potential hosts for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following similar offers from Switzerland.
The development comes after U.S. President Donald Trump canceled his planned vacation at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey to focus on the ongoing Russia–Ukraine talks.
“This is usually the time when presidents go on vacation, but not this president,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. She added that while discussions were held about Trump working from Bedminster, he ultimately decided against it.
“He is on a mission, wants to move quickly, and strike while the iron is hot,” Leavitt emphasized.
Austria Steps Forward
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker announced Vienna’s readiness to host the talks, highlighting the city’s long tradition of international diplomacy and its role as host to global organizations such as the IAEA, OPEC, and OSCE.
“If negotiations take place in Vienna, we will coordinate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to clarify legal matters and enable President Putin’s participation,” Stocker stated.
The potential Vienna venue underlines Europe’s growing diplomatic engagement in efforts to resolve the Russia–Ukraine conflict, as pressure mounts for a breakthrough in negotiations.
