High-ranking visitor – Selenski lands in Bern with a helicopter – Federal Palace sealed off – News

  • Zelensky will soon arrive at the Federal Palace to meet party leaders, federal councilors and parliamentary chairmen.
  • The Ukrainian President landed in Switzerland shortly before midday and was welcomed by Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis.
  • A massive security system was deployed around the Federal Palace. Snipers, water cannons and barriers are in place.

Volodimir Zelensky recently arrived at Belp Airport. He landed in Switzerland at 11:30 a.m. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis welcomed the Ukrainian President at Kloten Airport and traveled with him in a helicopter to Bern.

Legend:

Ignazio Cassis warmly hugs Selenski at Zurich Airport.

Keystone/ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE

Shortly after his arrival, the Ukrainian president wrote on Telegram: “In Bern I will hold talks with the presidents of the two chambers of parliament, the heads of the parties and parliamentary groups and President Viola Amherd.”

The SVP has no time for Zelenski’s visit to Bern


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“No time for Volodimir Selenski” is the motto of SVP President Marco Chiesa and parliamentary group leader Thomas Aeschi. Both will chair important meetings of parliamentary commissions during their visit to the Federal Palace. The SVP wanted to send SVP politician Alfred Heer to meet with Selenski as a replacement. But: “Ukraine rejected this because it wanted to speak to the president,” says parliamentary group leader Thomas Aeschi. The meeting is apparently supposed to last 40 minutes. According to Dominik Meier, SRF Bundeshaus editor, the other parties did not comment on the meeting. But there are no signs that other parties are also staying away from the meeting.

During the official visit, Zelensky wants to talk about sanctions against Russia and ways to use frozen Russian assets. He wrote this on X after his arrival on Monday. He also wants to address the return of Ukrainian children “stolen” by Russia.

Zelensky comes to Switzerland for the first time since the beginning of the war. President’s wife Olena Selenska and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba were already in the country before him.

Security around the Federal Palace was massively increased – shortly before midday at least two snipers were positioned at the Federal Palace.

Snipers on the Federal Palace in the direction of Bundesplatz.

Legend:

To guarantee Zelenskiy’s safety, the big guns are being brought out.

SRF/Adrian Müller

It was announced in advance that there would be road closures and traffic restrictions in the Bern region. Most police stations in the canton remained closed on Monday due to operations in Bern and around the WEF. Basic police services throughout the canton remain guaranteed, the police said.

The people of Bern are also noticing the extraordinary security situation on the streets: “There will be traffic disruptions, especially in the city center of Bern,” says Sarah Wahl from the Bern cantonal police. There are road closures and traffic restrictions, particularly around the Federal Palace and in the Kehrsatz area.

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