Swiss press: It takes two to make peace
Published: Tuesday, Jan 16th 2024, 06:20
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The Swiss press believes that the offer of a peace conference is the right one. However, the risks should not be underestimated and expectations should not be set too high, according to the commentary columns on Tuesday. After all, peace requires both warring parties.
The offer of a Swiss-organized conference for peace in Ukraine is fundamentally correct, wrote CH Media in the comments column on Tuesday. "But it harbors considerable risks for Switzerland," it continued. Without Russia and the informal ally China, peace would not be possible.
Federal President Viola Amherd must get China on board. She must also ensure that countries from the southern hemisphere continue to participate. According to CH Media's commentary, Brazil, India and South Africa are said to have expressed criticism of the Ukrainian peace terms. "A summit at the level of ministers or even heads of state must not degenerate into the next round of talks between like-minded people in neutral Switzerland," CH Media continued.
Diplomatic borders
It is right for Switzerland to stand up for its interests, wrote the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" (NZZ). However, expectations of Switzerland's diplomatic initiatives should not be set too high. "The destruction, suffering and bloodshed will continue. Small Switzerland can do little to change that," wrote the NZZ.
The big geopolitical players such as the USA and China would be more decisive. The fact that Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang did not want to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Bern illustrates the narrow limits of Swiss diplomacy.
"A small state like Switzerland is particularly dependent on the fact that in global politics it is not just the law of the jungle that applies, but that everyone adheres to and defends the fundamental principles of international law," the NZZ continued.
The reputation precedes
The newspapers in French-speaking Switzerland took a slightly different tone. Switzerland's involvement in the negotiations was not insignificant, wrote "Le Temps". "Its reputation as a neutral player legitimizes its actions", it continued. Switzerland was made for this, commented "La Liberté". Its commitment is a hopeful message.
All the comments agreed on one thing: Russia is needed for peace. At the moment, however, the positions of the regional parties are far apart. "It is not yet clear when and how such a peace conference could come about," wrote the NZZ.
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