Russian Foreign Ministry: Switzerland cannot represent the interests of Ukraine in Russia due to the loss of neutrality

Switzerland cannot represent the interests of Ukraine in Russia, as it has lost its neutral status, joining the anti-Russian sanctions, declared at a briefing by Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Ivan Nechaev.

“We answered very clearly that Switzerland, unfortunately, has lost the status of a neutral state and cannot act either as a mediator or as a representative of interests. As you know, Bern joined the illegal Western sanctions against Russia, he supports the anti-people Nazi regime in Kyiv, participates in an aggressive Russophobic campaign launched by the West and Ukraine, it is completely incomprehensible how, with such behavior, mediation, representation or other good offices can be offered,” he said. Nechaev.

10 August Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedthat the country has reached an agreement with Ukraine on the issue of representation – the interests of Kyiv in Russia can be represented by Bern, if Moscow agrees to such a step. This was reported by RIA Novosti.

According to the diplomat, the Swiss side was interested in Russia’s opinion on this issue, and “quite a long time ago.” He noted that despite the opinion of the Russian side, Bern continued negotiations with Kyiv. “This confirms that he really does not care about Russia’s interests,” Nechaev stressed. Thus, there can be no question of any representation and mediation of Switzerland.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Moscow Volodymyr Yelchenko was recalled on March 17, 2014, after a referendum was held in Crimea. On July 28, 2016, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, by his decree, released Mikhail Zurabov, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine, from his duties.

On February 24, with the start of the special operation, Ukraine severed diplomatic relations with Russia.