UN General Assembly Cassis calls for dialog with Russia at the UN
In a speech to the Security Council on the war in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis called for dialog with Russia. The peace conference in June on the Bürgenstock NW helped to break down blockades and establish a beginning of trust.
24.09.2024, 23:30
SDA
"This first step towards peace must be followed by others. It is now important to continue the dialog with Russia as well," said Cassis. Switzerland thus chose a different tone than other Western countries such as the USA or France, which strongly condemned both Russia and all states that supported Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also took part in the meeting. He declared that Russia, the only aggressor in the conflict, could only be "forced to make peace" by the international community.
Pragmatic diplomacy called for
Cassis went on to say that it was "crucial that the Council continues to consider ways to end the Russian war against Ukraine". However, the Foreign Minister did not mention an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, as he had called for in New York over the past two years.
Only pragmatic diplomacy could lead out of the impasse that has already cost too many lives, the Federal Councillor continued. Cassis lamented a "loss of the grammar of peace" at the UN. "So far, this Council has not fully lived up to its responsibilities. After 1000 days of war, we have still not found a diplomatic solution," said Cassis.
Peace requires well-prepared reconstruction
He went on to emphasize the importance of discussing the reconstruction of Ukraine. "Lasting peace will also depend on well-prepared reconstruction," said the Foreign Minister.
Shortly after the start of the conflict, Switzerland had already laid the foundations for reconstruction with the Lugano Conference, said Cassis. One of Switzerland's priorities is humanitarian demining. "We are currently investing 120 million US dollars to clear mines from civilian and agricultural areas in Ukraine," said Mr. Cassis.
