Switzerland is not neutral anymore after sanctioning Moscow with the west, and it cannot represent Kyiv. This was the opinion of the Foreign Ministry of Russia regarding the consequences of Bern choosing the western side.
Consequences for Those Imposing Russian Sanctions
Ivan Nechayev, the Deputy Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, revealed that Bern had inquired whether Switzerland could advocate for Ukraine in Russia and vice versa last Thursday.
The ministry responded that it had surrendered that option when Bern supported US sanctions, which caused it to lose neutrality in the matter, and acting as a mediator would be detrimental to the debate, reported RT.
He made it apparent that Bern would continue to negotiate with Ukraine despite Moscow's apparent position on the topic, concluding that the EU country does not respect Russia's position or interests.
The Russian source strengthens the argument that Switzerland's role as a mediator and representative is out of the question, and charged Bern with backing Ukraine by joining the anti-Russian uprising led by the West and Ukraine, noted Yahoo News.
Furthermore, it is puzzling how a nation acting this way could provide mediation, legal counsel, and other beneficial services.
Bern and Kyiv agreed on Wednesday that, provided Moscow agrees with the arrangement, it might advocate diplomatic concerns in Russia, though not neutral.
Switzerland Should Be Allowed To Mediate
According to Michael Steiner, head of media at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Russia must accept a protecting power's mandate to be legitimate.
The Swiss foreign ministry also stated that since the start of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in late February, due to cutting diplomatic ties with Moscow, it has offered its services as a mediator.Steiner claims Bern is willing to host and facilitate discussions between Moscow and Ukraine, citing CSM Times.
He asserted that the purpose of a protective power is to allow states to maintain limited interactions during times of war and supervise and protect the rights of parties in conflict and their nationals.
Oleg Nikolenko, a Foreign Ministry official at the time, acknowledged such arrangements, indicating Ukraine had reached a deal in general with Bern, allowing it to advocate Ukrainian priorities in Russia.
Bern, one of the EU states that joined Washington in imposing sanctions against Russia because of Ukraine, must be acknowledged.
After African and Asian countries rejected the US and EU for stifling the Russian economy, they took desperate measures, freezing Sberbank and preventing the trade in gold.
On March 5, the Kremlin placed Switzerland as one of the countries complicit with the US and other states in harboring hostile intent against Russia, especially the bloc.
Before this, the country had dealings with other nations entangled with Russia; one of these was the representation of Georgia in Russia. They were dealing with Georgia cutting diplomatic ties after the conflict in 2008.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called Switzerland not neutral after joining successive sanctions against the Kremlin, saying Bern cannot be representing Kyiv, but an arrangement could be reached.
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