Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemns Switzerland’s support of Chinese and Brazilian initiative as detrimental for peace
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed disappointment at Switzerland’s support for the Sino-Brazilian “peace initiative” for Ukraine on September 28, 2024, and called on all countries that support international law and the UN Charter to avoid participating in such initiatives.
In a statement, the ministry said Ukraine could not understand the logic behind Switzerland’s decision.
“After all, together with the Swiss Confederation, we organised the first global Peace Summit on June 15-16, in Bürgenstock, together with the Swiss Confederation, which representatives from one hundred countries and international institutions attended. Our countries continue to actively cooperate to increase the number of signatories to the Summit Communiqué. Switzerland is also participating in thematic conferences on specific points of the Peace Formula, which aim to prepare a common peace framework for restoring a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined that all ideas, discussions, and plans to restore peace for Ukraine should be based on two principles:
- Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine;
- These proposals must respect the UN Charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
The Ministry described the Ukrainian Peace Formula as the only way to a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace, and stated there was no need to create additional formats and platforms to discuss ways to achieve peace for Ukraine.
“Any initiatives that do not contain a clear reference to the UN Charter and do not guarantee the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity are unacceptable. Such ‘peace initiatives’ only create the illusion of dialogue while the aggressor continues its criminal actions,” the Ministry stated.
Ukraine called on the Swiss Confederation and all countries supporting international law and the UN Charter to avoid participating in so-called Sino-Brazilian “peace initiatives.”
Any initiatives that do not recognise Russia's unprovoked armed aggression against Ukraine, equate the victim and the aggressor, and propose de-escalation at the expense of Ukraine's sovereignty and territories cannot be supported by Ukraine."
To provide context, on September 28, 2024, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said that the country supported China and Brazil’s so-called “peace initiative” regarding the war in Ukraine. At the same time, a spokesman for the Swiss Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of referring to the UN Charter in any peace initiatives regarding Ukraine.
China is providing support to Russia in its war against the people of Ukraine.
During a meeting with Wang Yi on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on September 28, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted that Chinese companies are responsible for around 70% of machine tool exports to Russia.
He also noted that 90% of microelectronics imported by Russia originate from China and Hong Kong, which significantly aids Moscow in producing the missiles, armoured vehicles, and ammunition needed for its unprovoked war against the Ukrainian people.
Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stressed that media reports about Beijing’s assistance to Moscow undermine China’s attempts to portray itself as a “neutral mediator” in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
According to The Times, Western officials have uncovered that a Chinese company is sending military drones to Russia for testing and possible use by Russian forces against Ukraine.
A Western official noted that the Chinese company had entered into an agreement with Russia in 2023 and that there was “clear evidence that PRC companies are supplying Russia with deadly weapons for use in Ukraine”.
