The SVP wanted to stop Switzerland’s candidacy for the UN Security Council today in the National Council, but had no chance. Neutrality is under threat now more than ever, she said. The others said that it was now more important than ever to work for peace. State Secretary Livia Leu explains how Switzerland intends to fulfill its role as mediator.
SRF News: What would be different these days if Switzerland were already on the UN Security Council?
Livia Leu: I don’t think much. Switzerland has positioned itself very clearly. As she has done on the outside, she would do on the Council.
The hope is that this mission can make an even better contribution to peacebuilding. How is that supposed to work?
When you sit on the UN Security Council, you are of course right in the middle of the most central deliberations on peace that exist in the world, and you can make your contribution there.
As Switzerland has positioned itself outside, it would also position itself in the Security Council.
But doesn’t the Ukraine war just show how toothless the Security Council is because major powers can veto it?
It is not only the Security Council that is struggling in this conflict, numerous high-ranking officials have also tried to prevent and defuse this conflict. And unfortunately nobody succeeded.
Switzerland has taken a clear position by adopting sanctions against Russia. Will this continue in the Security Council?
Yes, nothing would change. We would make exactly the same decisions. The Federal Council would undoubtedly also condemn the violations of international law and the attack. And he would take over the sanctions again in response.
The idea of a positioning is that the other country also understands: we don’t agree.
Legally, neutrality continues. Politically it’s different. Russia has put Switzerland on a list of unfriendly countries…
Yes, of course that’s a reaction to that. But the idea of a positioning is that the other country also understands: We do not agree with your actions.
Can’t such a position on sensitive issues cost Switzerland its role as a mediator, also in other conflicts?
That doesn’t mean that Switzerland is no longer neutral because of it. And it’s important to explain that too. You can do that – you can even explain to countries that you are sanctioning why there is no other way.
The SVP argues that there needs to be a blank spot on the map where conflicting parties can meet. Is it now less important for Switzerland to be this white spot?
Switzerland is still sticking to its neutrality and good offices policy, and will continue to do so. And she will continue to be available for such meetings in the future.
Today, representatives of Russia and Ukraine met in Antalya instead of Geneva as originally planned. Does Switzerland leave it to others to ensure peace in Europe?
This meeting was never planned in Geneva in this sense. That’s what happened on the international agenda. And President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been very active. But that doesn’t mean that a later meeting can’t take place again in Switzerland.
Other neutral states have also taken positions, inside and outside the Security Council.
But originally a meeting in Geneva was planned. It was canceled.
There have been a lot of different meetings, announced and canceled ones. Various meetings have also taken place in Geneva, notably between President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin last year.
However, that was before this clear positioning of Switzerland…
That’s true, but that doesn’t change anything. Other neutral states have also taken positions, inside and outside the UN Security Council, and have continued to serve well. So there is no barrier that you practically cross with it.
If Switzerland could achieve a major success in the Security Council, what should it be?
The biggest conflict we have is definitely the Ukraine conflict. That’s the biggest concern. But of course there is also the possibility – and we want to work on this – that you can build bridges in the Security Council, that you can use our classic profile as a forger of compromises to maybe even overcome a blockade in the Security Council like the one that exists now to be able to
Do you have any hope that this might work?
We just have to work at it. I think you always have to be optimistic when trying something like this. But you also have to be realistic and know where the limits are.
The conversation was led by Larissa Rhyn.