contents
Moscow wants to know from the OSCE countries where they stand – including Switzerland. The FDFA wants to make clarifications, but relies on the OSCE for talks.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has sent a letter to Federal President Ignazio Cassis, as an EDA spokesman confirmed a report by the “Tages-Anzeiger”.
In it, Lavrov explained the Russian ideas of a European security order. In addition, Russia wants to know how Switzerland stands on security in Europe and NATO’s eastward expansion.
Called for renunciation of NATO expansion
On Friday, Russia and China released a statement in which the countries called for an end to eastward enlargement and a waiver of Ukraine’s inclusion in the military alliance.
Lavrov then sent a letter to the foreign ministers of the member countries of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
In the letter, Lavrov urges foreign ministers to provide answers to Moscow’s questions about security in Europe. In particular, they should explain how the principle of “indivisible security” should be guaranteed in Europe. What is meant by this is that the security of one country must not be guaranteed at the expense of the interests of another state.
FDFA consults OSCE
The EDA spokesman said the EDA had taken note of the point of view in the letter and would carry out clarifications. As a rule, letters to the Federal President would be answered individually. But the letter is about OSCE decisions. The OSCE is therefore the appropriate platform to discuss Russian concerns.
Legend:
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis met the Russian Foreign Minister in Geneva in November 2018 for talks.
key stone
According to the EDA, the Polish OSCE Chairmanship wants to start a dialogue process next week. Switzerland supports this approach.
Russia had previously addressed the catalog of demands to NATO and the USA. They reject Russia’s core concerns, but have offered a dialogue in written replies. In turn, the Russian response is pending, as the Kremlin had made clear.
Tens of thousands of soldiers deployed
In light of Western reports that more than 100,000 Russian soldiers have deployed near the Ukrainian border, there are fears that the Kremlin is planning an invasion of its neighboring country. Moscow denies that.
It is also considered possible that the Russian side wants to stir up fears in order to persuade NATO to make concessions on demands for new security guarantees.
