Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Switzerland calls for return of Crimea to Ukraine

Ignazio Cassis
Cassis joined an international chorus of solidarity for Ukraine. © Ti-press

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has again called for Russia to end hostilities and withdraw from Ukraine, including the Crimea territory it has occupied for eight years.

In a video address on the Crimea Platform, Cassis condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “in the strongest possible terms”.

“Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must be restored immediately. I reiterate Switzerland’s unwavering support for a Ukrainian Crimea, for the Ukrainian people now facing Russia’s military aggression,” he said.

The Crimea Platform is an international demonstration of solidarity for Ukraine that was set up exactly a year ago. The second Crimea Platform summit was staged on August 23, one day before Ukraine celebrates the 31st anniversary of its independence from the former Soviet Union.

Switzerland is a founding participant of the Crimea Platform and has refused to recognise Russia’s claim on Crimea since its occupation in 2014.

Last month, Switzerland hosted an international conference in support of Ukraine in the southern Swiss city of Lugano. The Ukraine Recovery Conference agreed a set of principles to oversee the reconstruction of the war-torn country.

Several international leaders addressed the Crimea Platform summit on Tuesday, including the heads of state of Germany, Canada, Britain and Japan, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

External Content

News

Across a red and white striped police line and a grassy area and in front of grey, concrete buildings can be seen a white police van with yellow and blue stripes. The door to the van is open and four male police officers in navy uniforms and black vests that say ‘cantonal police’ are standing next to the van.

More

Switzerland knife attack leaves six injured

This content was published on A man injured half a dozen people with knives, two of them seriously, before being arrested on Wednesday in northern Switzerland.  

Read more: Switzerland knife attack leaves six injured
The meeting will be held on June 15 and 16 at the five-star Bürgenstock hotel above Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland.

More

Ukraine peace talks: 50 countries have confirmed participation

This content was published on To date, 50 countries out 160 invited delegations have confirmed they will attend the Ukraine peace conference, held in central Switzerland in mid-June, according to Swiss public radio, RTS.

Read more: Ukraine peace talks: 50 countries have confirmed participation

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR