Switzerland backs controversial China-Brazil peace plan for Ukraine

A spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said that the plan offers "an alternative to the warlike speeches" of Ukraine and Russia and emphasizes a "ceasefire and political solution."

Sep 28, 2024 - 16:00

Switzerland backs controversial China-Brazil peace plan for Ukraine

Swiss and Ukrainian flag.

Switzerland expressed support for a China-Brazil peace initiative for Ukraine despite the lack of reference to the UN Charter and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

China and Brazil’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine claims support from 110 countries. However, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticizes it as favoring Moscow and neglecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The plan emphasizes dialogue and de-escalation but omits any reference to the return of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) sees the initiative as a valuable step towards de-escalation between Ukraine and Russia, according to Blick.

Nicolas Bideau, spokesperson for the FDFA, told the Keystone-SDA news agency that Switzerland endorses the initiative because “it calls for a ceasefire and a political solution to the conflict.”

Bideau emphasized the initiative’s importance as an alternative to the “warlike speeches” exhibited by both Ukrainian and Russian representatives at the United Nations this week.

However, the plan has drawn criticism for its failure to explicitly reference the UN Charter or Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

According to Le Temps newspaper, these omissions have led the United States and European nations to withhold their support, viewing the initiative as potentially aligned with Moscow’s strategy.

Addressing these concerns, Bideau stated that Switzerland had highlighted the significance of including a reference to the UN Charter when the initiative was first published.

He noted that the Chinese Foreign Minister subsequently reiterated the Charter’s importance in a UN Security Council meeting, leading the FDFA to conclude that the initiative aligns with UN principles.

In a notable diplomatic development, Switzerland was the sole Western nation invited to a meeting held by China and Brazil on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. This exclusive invitation underscores Switzerland’s unique position in the international dialogue surrounding the Ukraine war.

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