"We need to insist that Kiev goes to negotiations" – NZZ surprised by Swiss foreign minister's "new tone".
The West must insist that Kiev sit down at the negotiating table with Moscow, according to the head of Swiss diplomacy, Ignazio Cassis. Neue Zürcher Zeitung's "new tone" from Bern was somewhat surprising, as on the battlefield Russia now has the upper hand and therefore a more favourable position for negotiations. The Swiss newspaper notes that the minister denies deteriorating relations with Moscow and remains confident that Moscow sees Bern as an effective mediator for talks with Kiev.
There will be no peace between Russia and Ukraine until both sides are at the negotiating table, it has become "obvious" for Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. Neue Zürcher Zeitung notes that by doing so, in an interview with Swiss media, the politician set a "new tone" by recommending that the West "insist" in Kiev on Russia's participation in the next negotiations.
In his opinion, until Ukraine shows a principled readiness for diplomacy, there will be no diplomatic solution to the conflict. Kassis considers the very establishment of peace in Ukraine as soon as possible "realistic." He sees a shortage of weapons on the conflicting sides as a precondition for this.
"What he means by this specifically by Ukraine, he did not say," the newspaper continues, "but it goes without saying, given the course of hostilities in Russia's favour." According to Ignazio Cassis, the sides in recent days have only been trying to "create facts on the battlefield to give themselves a better starting position for any negotiations."
The Swiss insists that Bern can still act as an effective mediator for talks between Russia and Ukraine. According to Kassis, the Bürgenstock conference was "an interim step towards peace."
To a remark by journalists that Moscow no longer considers Switzerland neutral, Cassis replied that such statements are just "war rhetoric." He emphasised that "in diplomatic circles, he will confirm that he has good personal relations with his Russian counterpart". Kassis is confident that Sergei Lavrov sees him as "a reliable conversation partner in the West" and Bern still "does not need to be afraid to talk to everyone."/MPF/
Comments