Today Selenski speaks via video link in Parliament – Blick reports live: scandal in the Federal Palace is already programmed

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“I wish from the bottom of my heart that the Ukrainians can live like the Swiss,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (45) addressed the Swiss people via video link in March 2022. “And just as I wanted the Ukrainians to live like the Swiss, now I want them to become like the Ukrainians in the fight against evil.”

At that time, thousands demonstrated on the Bundesplatz against the offensive war against Ukraine launched by the Russians on February 24. FDP Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (62) also participated in the meeting and took the opportunity to personally greet “dear Volodimir” and “friend”.

Please stay away from speech

Selenski now turns to Switzerland again. With a video connection to the Federal Palace, he will speak in front of the Federal Parliament on Thursday at 2 p.m. Not during the official session times, but during the lunch break. Yet a scandal is on the agenda: the SVP refuses the Ukrainian president and wants to stay away from the speech.

SVP parliamentary group leader Thomas Aeschi (44) even tried to prevent Selenski’s appearance with a regulatory motion. His speech violated neutrality, he argued. And Ukraine is trying to influence parliamentary decisions. The request was clearly rejected.

Solidarity with the Ukrainian people

The other parties give the speech a very different meaning than the SVP. “That Selenski is allowed to speak in the Swiss parliament is correct and shows solidarity with the Ukrainian people and the condemnation of Russian aggression,” emphasizes Elisabeth Schneider-Schneider (59, BL).

But she pleads for more support. “Besides sanctions and humanitarian aid, a right to transfer arms is obsolete,” said the foreign policy expert. The Bundesrat and parliament must finally take the necessary decisions.

SP alderman Fabian Molina (32, ZH) also sees the speech as “an important sign of solidarity with Ukraine, which is still fighting for its survival”. He is pleased that the National Council on Wednesday cleared the way for the return of 25 Leopard tanks to Germany.

“At the same time, it is shameful that Switzerland is falling behind internationally when it comes to humanitarian aid, mine clearance, the blocking of funds from oligarchs and independent sanctions against Putin’s henchmen,” Molina lamented. Switzerland can and must do more out of solidarity, but also out of its own interest in a stable peace order in Europe.

The SVP MPs, on the other hand, will not lure Selenski from behind the stove. Even SVP national councilor Franz Grüter (59, LU), chairman of the foreign policy committee, refrains from participating “for planning reasons”. However, he also has fundamental reservations: “If we are going to give heads of state a podium, we will be shooting the Bundesrat in the back.” Performances by foreign government officials have no tradition in the Bundeshaus, says Grüter.

Topics still unknown

What Zelensky will talk about is not known. He is likely to comment on the current situation in Ukraine. Perhaps even to the ongoing counter-offensive? A conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine will also be held in London next week. It is quite possible that the Ukrainian president will respond.

SVP foreign policy expert Grüter believes that Selenski will address a wide range of demands to Switzerland – involving direct and indirect arms transfers, the expropriation of Russian nationals, Switzerland’s participation in the multinational task force for the implementation of economic sanctions against Russia or Preventing Russian Propaganda in Switzerland.

“President Zelensky is also likely to push for massive financial support for the reconstruction of Ukraine and the increase in humanitarian aid.” And he will probably also point out that Western democratic values ​​are defended in Ukraine.

attentive audience

It is clear that Swiss politicians – including the Federal Councilors – will follow the speech closely. Regardless of whether they take them to heart in the Federal Palace or elsewhere.

Blick users can also follow Selenski’s speech. Blick will broadcast this live from 2 p.m.

Source:Blick