Media: Negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow continued after a break
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed after a break on Monday afternoon. This was reported unanimously by several Russian and Belarusian media.
The delegations have not yet left the place of negotiation in the Ukrainian-Belarusian border area, the Belarusian state agency Belta reported. There was initially confusion about a message from the Ukrainian parliament on the Telegram news channel. It said the talks had already ended.
The delegations of the two countries met at noon with a significant delay. Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makej opened the negotiations, videos from Belarusian state media showed. Russia nevertheless continued its attacks in Ukraine.
Kiev’s mayor calls on Europe to donate to Ukraine
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko has called on Europe to donate to Ukraine. «Our wives, children, elderly people are going through hell. We urgently need your help now,” Klitschko said in a video on Twitter. “Please donate what you can to the account of the National Bank of Ukraine.”
The people of the Ukrainian capital had another hell of a night because of the Russian attacks. They would have tried everything to stop the Russian aggression. ‘For her to be stopped here. So that she doesn’t knock on your houses and doors, »said Klitschko in the direction of Europe.
Minute of silence in the National Council, applause for ambassadors
In a statement at the beginning of the spring session regarding the Ukraine war, the President of the National Council, Irene Kälin (Greens/AG), called for Switzerland to act. If she hides behind the good offices, she’s on the wrong side of history. Neutrality does not mean remaining silent, but standing up for peace and human rights.
She concluded with the wish “that together we will find a way to show heart with the Ukrainians and toughness against Russia.” And: “May clearer deeds follow our words.” Kälin asked those present for a minute’s silence “to commemorate the victims that this war has already claimed”. She then welcomed Artem Rybchenko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Switzerland, to the gallery of the National Council Chamber. The great chamber rose to a standing ovation.
The media conference is over
We will continue to keep you up to date on developments in the Ukraine war here in the live ticker.
How does the Federal Council assess the risk of a nuclear strike?
“Our investigations lead us to assume that the actual use of these weapons is unlikely,” says Viola Amherd. The population need not fear accordingly.
What could cut gas supplies mean for Switzerland?
DETEC is at work and evaluating this, says Federal Councilor Viola Amherd. “The first clarifications indicate that Switzerland should not have any major problems because we have warehouses.”
Will the Swiss economy feel the effects of these sanctions?
Ueli Maurer: “That depends on further developments.” It is not yet possible to judge how deliveries and payments will continue. According to the Minister of Finance, there could be problems in individual cases, but there will probably not be a general problem. With the current measures, Switzerland is not under pressure. “It depends on global developments.”
Are the tightened entry requirements for Russians damaging diplomacy?
Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said diplomatic relations would not be severed. Members of official Russian delegations or certain business people have so far benefited from visa facilitation, which has now been suspended. These people would now have to apply for a visa.
Is Switzerland creating a precedent with this?
How big was the pressure from the European Union? Is Switzerland now giving in every time, asks a journalist.
President Cassis said he could not say whether that was a prejudice. But in this extraordinary situation, extraordinary decisions had to be made.
Is Switzerland gambling away its offer of “good offices”?
Federal President Ignazio Cassis says that a lot has developed in the EU in recent days. “The Federal Council has decided to go a new way.” But the offer of good offices still applies.
Were there contacts with Washington and Moscow?
One is in contact with the foreign ministries, says Cassis, especially with regard to the sanctions. They want to keep diplomatic options open with Moscow.
Why is Switzerland only now giving in?
A journalist wants to know whether Switzerland has only now given in for fear of being isolated in the EU.
Ignazio Cassis says no. He says that a lot of elements had to be checked in the sanctions. This took its time.
No sanctions in commodity trading
A journalist wants to know to what extent the commodities trade is affected by the sanctions.
The Federal Council has the option of adopting EU sanctions, but cannot impose them itself, explains Federal Councilor Maurer. With regard to commodity trading, there are still no sanctions.
What risks has the Federal Council weighed up?
Now the question and answer session is open. A journalist asks about the risks that the Federal Council has weighed up.
“We had to have it checked whether this step would affect neutrality,” says Federal President Ignazio Cassis. This is not the case.
Airspace over Switzerland now closed to Russian aircraft
Federal President Cassis informs about the closure of the airspace over Switzerland. In accordance with the airspace closures in other European countries, Swiss airspace will be closed to all flights from Russia and to all flight movements of aircraft with Russian registration plates with immediate effect. Exceptions are his flights for humanitarian, medical or diplomatic purposes. This also applies to private jets. The airline Swiss has already stopped its flights to Russia.
Amherd: “Developments in Ukraine surprised us in terms of speed and brutality”
“The developments in Ukraine surprised us in terms of speed and brutality,” says Federal Councilor Viola Amherd. But one had to reckon with the fact that there could be an escalation on the edge of Europe. “States must therefore be able to defend themselves against military force.” Switzerland must adapt to a significantly worse security environment.
Amherd: “Cyber attacks are a realistic scenario”
From a security policy point of view, the question arises as to how the war in Ukraine could affect Switzerland, says Federal Councilor Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. Possible consequences are currently being worked out. “Specifically, we are thinking of areas such as energy supply, refugee flows and cyber attacks.” The latter in particular is “a realistic scenario,” says Amherd. The federal intelligence service is therefore constantly monitoring the situation.
Keller-Sutter: “We want to be generous and uncomplicated”
The Federal Council has also imposed entry bans on Russian oligarchs and people close to Russian President Putin, explains Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter. Five people were affected. For reasons of privacy protection, she does not provide any further information.
The Federal Council has also decided to partially suspend the 2009 agreement on visa facilitation for Russians. Holders of diplomatic passports will continue to be allowed to enter without a visa.
In addition, Switzerland will participate in humanitarian aid and in dealing with the flow of refugees, assured Keller-Sutter.
“We want to be generous and uncomplicated,” says the Minister of Justice in connection with the admission of refugees. One possibility would be “S” status for Ukrainians.
Maurer: “Switzerland will support the decision on Swift”
The assets of the people on the list would be frozen “immediately”, says Finance Minister Ueli Maurer. However, the question does not arise as to whether Switzerland would participate in the exclusion of Russia from the Swift financial system. “Switzerland will support the decision.”
Maurer: “Influence of the Russian financial center in Switzerland is very small”
The import, export and investment ban in Crimea and Sevastopol, which has been in place since 2014, has been extended to the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which are no longer under the control of the Ukrainian government, explains Finance Minister Ueli Maurer. The integrity of the Swiss financial center must be “guaranteed”. That is why Switzerland is implementing the EU sanctions “in full”.
Maurer says of the importance of the Russian financial center for Switzerland: “The influence here is very small.” It should also be noted that the Swiss National Bank and the Russian National Bank have no relationship whatsoever.