Russia rejects Swiss mediation on Ukraine conflict

Russia's Ambassador to Switzerland, Sergei Garmonin, has stated that Switzerland cannot mediate in the Ukrainian conflict until there is a fundamental change in Bern's anti-Russian policy.

Garmonin noted that as long as conditions for changing the unfriendly course toward Russia do not emerge, Moscow will not reconsider its stance toward Switzerland, and therefore, it does not need mediation from so-called neutral countries, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"Once again – until there are conditions in the form of a change in the unfriendly course toward our country, Moscow will not change its attitude toward Bern, and thus, we do not need the mediation of imagined neutrals. No advances at the expense of Russian interests," the diplomat said.

He emphasized that this view has been repeatedly expressed by senior Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

On February 8, Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter stated that Bern is ready to act as a mediator in resolving the crisis in Ukraine. However, Russia questioned Switzerland’s neutrality maintaining that its involvement is unfeasible due to its adoption of EU sanctions against Russia.

By Khagan Isayev