Why Belgrade is the perfect place for Trump-Putin summit

With Donald Trump back in the White House, official talks with Vladimir Putin about ending the Ukraine war look likely. The best place to host those talks is in Belgrade, Serbia.

A meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has become increasingly likely. Speculation has grown about where these negotiations could take place, with several nations emerging as contenders, including Switzerland, Hungary, and Serbia.

The latter stands out as a practical, logical, and symbolic choice for such a meeting, given its unique geopolitical position and balancing foreign relations. Belgrade has a near-unique duality which positions it perfectly as a neutral location for the talks.

Serbia has found itself winking at both the West and the East for a long time, trying to navigate a delicate balance between the two, in what we might call ‘sitting on two chairs’. It has been at least somewhat successful. 

The country has managed to maintain its neutral stance by refraining from imposing  sanctions on Russia. Interestingly, however, it has allegedly sent support to Ukraine too, an action which went largely unnoticed. Serbia has also welcomed both Russian and Ukrainian refugees during this time.

Serbia’s duality

A key distinction which sets Serbia apart from other potential hosts here is that it is not a NATO member, which positions it as more neutral toward Russia. At the same time, Serbia maintains a pro-Western orientation as it continues its accession talks to join the European Union.

Serbia’s duality in this regard is evident in its official support for both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump—an unusual stance in today’s polarised world, but understandable given the country’s unique position.

Serbia’s president says his country is the most pro-Trump in Europe. This sentiment has persisted since Trump’s 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton, representing a level of support other American presidents have not typically enjoyed in the country.

On the other hand, culturally and historically, Serbia has always been close to Russia. Serbia’s good relations with Russia recently led to Putin inviting President Aleksandar Vučić to Moscow.

But it is important to consider, to understand Serbia’s neutral stance and its decision not to fully support its long-time ally Russia, the sensitive issue of Kosovo.

As President Vučić stated, Serbia supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity but refrains from imposing sanctions on Russia, reflecting a careful balancing act amid its own geopolitical challenges.

Openly backing Russia could risk undermining Serbia’s position on Kosovo’s territorial sovereignty.

A chance to discuss regional issues

Even when the region is involved in hosting foreign peace talks, one must be careful such actions are not perceived as problematic, taking into consideration the region’s complex history and sensitivities. To avoid perceptions of bias or exacerbating existing tensions in the region, it is essential to ensure the primary focus stays on Russia and Ukraine.

However, discussion for the region on the margins of the meeting might also be a considered possibility. With careful planning and neutral rhetoric on regional issues, such a meeting in the Western Balkans could become symbolic to the countries in the region given the regional context and the persistent potential for escalation.

It could send a message to the region to move beyond the past, emphasising the importance of early prevention, because addressing issues before they escalate is always more effective than seeking solutions after. Serbia, with the history of NATO bombings and its role in the Balkan conflicts, serves as a meaningful place for sending such a message.

It would always be difficult to find the perfect place for such a meeting, but based on the current proposals, Serbia sounds like a serious candidate, especially compared to other suggestions which have not been so neutral on this question.

The increasingly important role of both the US in the war in Ukraine, particularly under the new Trump administration, and Russia, with Putin’s interest in engaging in talks with the United States, suggests dialogue between these two powers could play a pivotal role in resolving the situation. The location for such a meeting still remains uncertain. Ultimately, the security of both President Trump and President Putin will be the priority in choosing the location.

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