Interview with the Ukrainian Ambassador in Switzerland

Mr Ambassador, many in Switzerland were surprised that Russia was attacking Ukraine. How did you experience February 24th?

War has been raging in eastern Ukraine since 2014, even if the Russian attack in February had a different dimension. I felt a great deal of solidarity in Switzerland, from official bodies, but also from citizens who asked how they could help. We are very grateful for that. Of course, Switzerland’s initial reaction was a bit chaotic. But taking on EU sanctions was a show of solidarity. The government and parliament have done a lot to stop Russian aggression against the democratic world, including on a practical level. Every ruble flowing into Russia is not destined for the people, but for the war.

As the war went on, attention in the West, including Switzerland, waned. Will solidarity last in winter when Russian gas is cut off?

If the media continues to do its job, the public will not forget the war. We’ve seen what it means when attention wanes. After Russia’s annexation of Crimea and Donbass in 2014, attention waned until the conflict was no longer an issue. Events like the Lugano Conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction in July are also helpful. They are also a reminder that the war is not over.

The Taiwan conflict could get more attention than a protracted war in Ukraine. Russia will do everything to influence the mood in Western countries.

We do our best to keep the attention high. Our President addresses the public every day and reports in different languages ​​what is happening in Ukraine. Many Western politicians have visited Ukraine. We were grateful for the visit from the President of the National Council, Irène Kälin. All of these efforts are important to keep awareness of the war high.

Western weapons could turn the tide of war. Switzerland has banned the re-export of weapons from Denmark and other countries. Do you understand this position?

Yes. Unlike Russia, we respect the laws of other countries and international law. There are other ways to help Ukraine. Humanitarian aid and medicines are also important. But it is important that help comes quickly. Switzerland is also heavily involved in humanitarian projects. With her good offices she can make an important contribution.

What role can neutral Switzerland play exactly?

Numerous Ukrainian children and other civilians have disappeared and been taken somewhere to Russia. We want our children and citizens back. Today, however, there are no diplomatic or consular contacts between Ukraine and Russia. A solution is needed here. Switzerland has repeatedly assumed protecting power mandates for hostile states.

There has been talk for months of such a mandate, which Switzerland is supposed to take on for Ukraine in Russia. What has become of it?

It’s a challenge to find channels of communication with people who don’t want to communicate.

You are diplomatic. So Moscow isn’t interested in opening a channel of communication even for consular questions?

We have not received any feedback.

The fact that Russia does not agree to the protecting power mandate shows how difficult the situation is. After the 2008 war, Switzerland took on such mandates for Georgia and Russia.

The war lasted only comparatively short. Russia has not attacked and killed civilians on the scale it is doing now. What Moscow is doing in Ukraine is genocide and terrorism.

Do Ukraine and Russia communicate through Turkey?

Yes, but on a different topic. The talks brokered by Turkey were about the agricultural sector. Ukraine’s agriculture is one of the best in the world, but because of the war and the Russian blockade, exports were no longer possible.

Russia no longer regards Switzerland as neutral. Bern can no longer mediate like it did after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Do you regret that?

The whole situation has changed since 2014. At that time it was an armed military aggression that Russia wanted to hide. Now the masks have fallen. Switzerland has taken a stand for the democratic states. Just because it’s on the list of unfriendly states of Russia doesn’t mean it’s no longer neutral. That is still Switzerland, as the refused transfer of weapons and other examples show.

At the end of July you criticized Swiss Solidarity, a national institution in Switzerland. What exactly bothered you?

My main point was: I wanted to thank the Swiss people in particular for their great solidarity, which I have felt in all my contacts since the outbreak of the war. I also met with big and small companies. Everyone wanted to make a contribution and donated to Swiss Solidarity. In March there was the big donation day, among others with Federal President Cassis. Two months later, in May, I met the people in charge and realized that we have different ideas about the timing. We need the help now, not in two years’ time, as Swiss Solidarity apparently intends to do.

Swiss Solidarity works with NGOs, there are processes. . .

The Ukrainian government knows best where help is needed: where children are hungry or where a hospital needs medical supplies. Switzerland has particularly good prostheses that we need now. That’s why I wanted to send out a signal: we are grateful, but also: we must coordinate the aid together.

One concern is corruption in Ukraine.

Which corruption is meant? People are united in this war like never before. It’s about helping each other. We don’t demand: Give us the money. We say: Let’s tackle the projects together, transparently and on an equal footing. I ask: Why are millions of Swiss francs from donations that are urgently needed left in the Swiss Solidarity account? In the end, people in Switzerland think: We donated, but nothing is moving.

You are actually saying: Swiss Solidarity is committing fraudulent labels.

The donations are for Ukraine, they shouldn’t be blocked.

It is feared that the money could be used to buy weapons. That would be against the idea of ​​Swiss neutrality.

That’s impossible – and I’ll repeat myself: we don’t want the money, we want to tackle joint projects. Let’s rebuild hospitals together, schools, nothing military.

So far you have been very reserved in your tonality – in contrast to your colleague Melnik in Berlin. Why suddenly this slightly harsher tone?

That was not the intention. I remain committed to diplomacy and a relationship based on partnership. I really appreciate what Switzerland is doing for the many Ukrainians who have found shelter here. So: no trace of Melnik style.

Apparently you will soon be replaced after four years in Bern.

It’s not official yet. The President has yet to sign a decree.

Her possible successor, Irina Venediktova, is a confidant of President Zelensky. Does this appointment mean that Bern has a special meaning for Kyiv?

Just last Wednesday, President Zelensky mentioned Switzerland in his daily video address and thanked him for accepting the seventh package of EU sanctions. Our President knows Switzerland. He was at the WEF in Davos, received Federal Councilor Sommaruga and later Federal Councilor Cassis in Kyiv. Switzerland is important for Ukraine. Not only as a European country, but also as a non-EU member. We can find quicker solutions with Switzerland than with the EU and its lengthy procedures.

President Zelensky spoke live from Kyiv to participants at a peace rally in Bern in March this year. He called for more commitment from Switzerland against the Russian oligarchs: “The money of the people who unleashed this war is in your banks. Help fight this.” What is that supposed to mean?

Switzerland is known for its beautiful landscape, chocolate, cheese, watches, but also for the banks. The President wanted to underline that there is a need for action. Of course within the framework of the rule of law.

Do you feel taken seriously?

Yes. Switzerland also wants to be able to impose its own sanctions. Parliament has sent out an important signal.

How did you experience your four years in Switzerland?

There was a special chemistry between the two countries, also personally among the leaders, which I had never experienced before: so close and so open. This also includes my contact with the Swiss Ambassador in Kyiv, Claude Wild. The relationship was not only fruitful, but also friendly. This is helpful for making the right decisions and finding solutions. Especially now that we don’t have time and we have to move forward.

What are you taking with you from Bern?

An Aare bag. This bag for the clothes if you want to swim in the river.