“It violates the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Ukraine,” said the government in a press releaseExternal link on Friday. “Switzerland does not recognize the incorporation of Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday declared four regions of Ukraine partially occupied by Moscow’s forces to be Russian, following “referenda” which Western countries including Switzerland denounced as illegal. The four regions in the east and southeast of Ukraine are Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Putin has also threatened to use “all means necessary” to defend Russian territory.
“Having annexed Crimea in 2014, Russia is again violating international law with this annexation,” said the government. “Switzerland underlines that these territories are still part of Ukraine’s national territory. The Federal Council calls on Russia to de-escalate and to completely withdraw from Ukrainian territories.”
It also called for Russia to respect international humanitarian and human rights law and for “rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to be guaranteed throughout the territory of Ukraine, including in the Russian-occupied territories”. “With winter approaching, the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population is vitally important,” it continued.
This comes amid a chorus of condemnation from other Western countries. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg called the annexation illegal and illegitimate and the most serious escalation of the Ukraine conflict so far. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force was a violation of the Principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Asked in Geneva today whether this could mean Russia being ousted as a permanent member of the Security Council, a UN spokesman said this would be a matter for discussion by the UN member states in the context of the UN Charter.
Swiss House of Representatives does not want to recognise Palestine as a state
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By 131 votes to 61 with 2 abstentions, the House of Representatives said 'no' to the postulate put forth by the Social Democratic Party.
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The peak of the snow accumulation was most likely reached on Monday, wrote glaciologist Matthias Huss on the social media platform X on Tuesday.
US Vice President Harris to attend Ukraine peace conference
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US Vice President Kamala Harris and US President Joe Biden's security advisor, Jake Sullivan, will take part in the Ukraine peace conference.
FINMA director expects cooperation and transparency from banks
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"I demand complete and unfiltered access to all information", said the director of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority said in an interview.
Swiss Senate wants additional billions for the army
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The increase in the payment framework is intended to ensure that the army budget reaches the target value of 1% of gross domestic product by 2030.
Swiss Senate rejects special fund for army and Ukraine
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There will be no CHF15 billion ($17 billion) special fund for the army and reconstruction in Ukraine. The Senate has clearly rejected a motion by its security policy committee.
Earthquake service reports 4.4 magnitude quake in central Switzerland
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The earthquake was probably felt throughout Switzerland, according to the Swiss Seismological Service of federal technology institute ETH Zurich.
Swiss army taking part in NATO exercise in Germany
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The Swiss army will be taking part in one of the largest air-operations exercises in Europe, which takes place in a different country each year.
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Most of the 4,000 members of the armed forces who will be helping with various tasks from June 5 to 19 have now been deployed.
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.
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Government wants command centre in case of ‘nuclear event’
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The Swiss government on Friday laid out responsibilities in case of a nuclear attack or nuclear disaster linked to the war in Ukraine.
Switzerland will not recognise ‘sham’ Ukraine referendums
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Switzerland has joined other Western nations in condemning Russian plans for referendums in four occupied areas of Ukraine.
Swiss against joining NATO but in favour of closer cooperation
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Most Swiss want to see closer cooperation with intergovernmental defence alliance NATO. However, they do not want to become a member.
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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.