Swiss Support of China-Brazil’s Peace Initiative Is a “Misunderstanding”, Says Ambassador

Following reports of Switzerland attending and supporting the principles of peace initiative proposed by China and Brazil on a meeting held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Swiss ambassador to Ukaine Felix Baumann said that Switzerland’s position on resolving Russia’s war against Ukraine remains unchanged in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine on October 4.

According to Baumann any “peace initiative” must fully respect international law and the UN Charter.

“I believe there has been some misunderstanding. Firstly, Switzerland did not join or sign any communiqué following the meeting held by China and Brazil last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Secondly, we attended the meeting only as observers. And thirdly, Switzerland’s position has not changed,” Baumann said.

He confirmed that Switzerland’s stance is clear: any resolution to Russia’s full-scale military aggression against Ukraine must fully respect international law, the UN Charter, and particularly Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Baumann added that Switzerland believes all peace plans that respect these fundamental principles should be considered.

“This is exactly what was reflected in the final communiqué of the First Global Peace Summit on Ukraine, held in Switzerland in June. This summit was built on previous discussions based on Ukraine’s Peace Formula and other peace proposals aligned with international law and the UN Charter,” he said.

He further explained that the Swiss Foreign Ministry decided to participate as an observer in the meeting initiated by China and Brazil because Switzerland considers it “essential to discuss peace while the war continues, bringing immense suffering and casualties”.

“This is the same approach we took in June in Bürgenstock when we gathered a broad group of countries to discuss the prospects for a peace process. But Switzerland’s position has not changed. And nothing should be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine,” the ambassador concluded.

Earlier, it was reported that Switzerland backed China and Brazil’s peace initiative for Ukraine, despite omissions on UN charter, which was critisized by the Ukrainian MFA.