Swiss ambassador explains why his country attended China-Brazil meeting on "peace plan for Ukraine"

Felix Baumann, Swiss Ambassador to Ukraine, has stated that Switzerland participated as an observer in the China-Brazil meeting on the "peace plan for Ukraine" and did not sign any communiqué. He also clarified that Switzerland's stance on the peaceful resolution of the Russo-Ukrainian war remains unchanged.

"First of all, Switzerland did not join or sign any communiqué following the meeting held by China and Brazil last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Secondly, we were present at the meeting but only as observers. And third, Switzerland has not changed its position," the ambassador said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

The ambassador emphasised that Switzerland’s position "remains absolutely clear: any solution in response to Russia’s full-scale military aggression against Ukraine must fully respect international law, the UN Charter, and, in particular, Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty".

However, he added that Switzerland believes it is important to consider all peace plans that respect these fundamental principles.

"And this is exactly what we saw in the final communiqué of The First Global Peace Summit for Ukraine, which took place in Switzerland in June. This summit was built on previous discussions based on Ukraine’s Peace Formula and other peace proposals that comply with international law and the UN Charter," he added.

The ambassador explained that this is why Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry decided to participate as an observer in the meeting initiated by China and Brazil.

"But Switzerland’s position has not changed. And nothing should be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine," the diplomat concluded.

Earlier, it became known that Switzerland had declared its support for the so-called peace initiative of China and Brazil regarding Ukraine.

Among European countries, Hungary has also declared its support for the Sino-Brazil initiative.

Following this, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed disappointment with Switzerland’s support for the initiative, pointing out the absence of references to the UN Charter and the lack of explicit mention of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

President Zelenskyy previously called the Sino-Brazil proposal "destructive" primarily because it was not discussed with Ukraine.