الثلاثاء, يناير 16th 2024
A breakdown of the key events unfolding in Switzerland over the last few days, as Zelenskyy visits Switzerland for the first time since the war has started.
Landing in Zurich Monday and later received in Bern by President Viola Amherd and Federal Councillors Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans. For security reasons, the area around the Federal Palace in Bern was cordoned off, restricting access to the parliament building due to the high number of visitors.
During his official visit to Bern, Zelensky discussed the organisation of a peace conference in Ukraine and the country’s reconstruction with Swiss officials. Switzerland, under the leadership of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), committed to beginning preparations for the peace conference immediately. President Amherd did not specify a date for the conference but expressed a desire for broad participation from countries that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity.
Zelensky welcomed China’s potential involvement in the peace formula. Switzerland aims to focus on the reconstruction of Ukraine, considering it strategically important for the continent’s stability, and has earmarked 1.5 billion for international cooperation until 2028. Zelensky thanked Switzerland for its commitment and support for the EU’s sanctions against Russia, emphasising the need for “just punishment” for those who attacked Ukraine.
National Council President Eric Nussbaumer, Council of States President Eva Herzog, and leaders of parliamentary groups and parties discussed ongoing parliamentary work, the importance of long-term support for Ukraine, and Switzerland’s solidarity with the Ukrainians. The SVP, advocating Swiss neutrality, did not participate in these talks.
Zelensky planned to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he intended to hold bilateral meetings with representatives of the EU and NATO to advance Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic area. He aimed to meet leaders and business executives in Davos to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and resilience. On social media, Zelensky expressed his agenda to discuss sanctions against Russia, the use of frozen Russian assets, the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia, and humanitarian demining.
Amidst recent military successes, including the shooting down of two strategically important Russian military aircraft, Zelensky’s visit to Switzerland was seen as an opportunity to seek further help from the West. The leadership in Kiev hoped that these successes would help overcome skepticism among Western governments about the effectiveness of their support. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valery Salushnyi announced the downing of an A-50 early warning reconnaissance aircraft and an Ilyushin Il-22M flying command center. The Kremlin, however, did not confirm these reports. Zelensky planned to use these military achievements to bolster his discussions in Bern and Davos, focusing on the situation at the front and seeking continued support.
The Ukrainian leadership, particularly Zelensky, emphasised the need for ongoing financial and military aid from the West, especially in light of the recent military developments. The UK, as one of Kiev’s strongest supporters, has trained over 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers since the start of the war. Defence Minister Grant Shapps of the UK highlighted the importance of sustained international support for Ukraine, countering Russian President Vladimir Putin’s belief that the West lacks stamina. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the UK also assured Ukraine of continued support during a recent visit to Kiev.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with the front lines in southern and eastern Ukraine largely stagnant. Ukrainian forces have fortified their defensive positions, while Russian advances have slowed, particularly during the winter conditions. Both sides are increasingly relying on drones for combat operations. The United Nations reported that 14.6 million people in Ukraine, 40 percent of the population, are in need of humanitarian aid, with 6.3 million Ukrainians having fled the country. The UN emergency aid office OCHA and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimated the need for aid at around 3.8 billion euros for the year.
Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Switzerland for its assistance and understanding of Ukraine’s plight. He emphasised that Switzerland’s neutrality should not equate to ignoring the realities of the conflict. He also thanked Switzerland for its willingness to organize a peace summit with Ukraine and called for stronger export controls on electronic components used in Russian missiles. Zelensky stated that all countries recognizing Ukraine’s territorial integrity could participate in the planned peace summit and expressed hope that China would be involved in the process.
At a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Davos, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s aspirations to join the military alliance. He anticipated decisions at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington that would bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership. Until then, Ukraine plans to continue concluding bilateral security agreements, as recently done with the UK. Zelensky thanked Stoltenberg for NATO’s unwavering support and informed him about the front-line situation, emphasizing the need for further help in strengthening Ukraine’s air defense. In his upcoming speech at the World Economic Forum, Zelensky intended to appeal for additional financial and military support for Ukraine and assistance in the country’s rebuilding efforts.
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