In New York: Cassis met with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov

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Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (62) traveled to New York on Tuesday. There he wants to participate in an open debate in the UN Security Council about the situation in the Middle East.

Before that, there was a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (73). On X, Cassis announced that he had spoken to Lavrov about “several topics.” Cassis is likely to be particularly interested in inviting Russian representatives to an announced peace summit in Geneva.

The Federal Council wants to help determine the course towards peace in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Federal President Viola Amherd (61) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky (45) announced this in Bern last week.

Switzerland wants Russia at the peace summit negotiating table

Selenski traveled to Bern for a state visit ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. There he met the leaders of Swiss politics. In addition to the federal councilors Amherd, Cassis and Beat Jans (59), also the chairmen of the National Council and the Council of States and the party leaders.

Switzerland appeals to everyone, Amherd said after the Russian rejection. In an interview with the American television channel CBS, Lavrov said on Monday that Moscow would listen to anyone who would not exploit Ukraine for a war against Russia. His country is fundamentally willing to negotiate – but not with the aim of keeping the current government in Kiev in power.

Criticism of Cassis at the final handshake

Cassis and Lavrov already know each other. However, the Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs probably does not have particularly good memories of the last meeting in September 2022. This has raised some eyebrows in Switzerland. In a photo shared by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Twitter at the time, the two were seen shaking hands and smiling at the camera.

On the day that Putin forced 300,000 citizens into the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia – at home and in the world – was able to give the impression that it was still part of the world community and the community of values.

Cassis then had to wonder whether he had allowed himself to be exploited by the Russian Foreign Minister when he posed for a photo together laughing. Diplomats made it clear at the time: handshakes are part of the UN. Still, they said, Cassis should have known not to smile, but to look serious. (she/oco)

Source:Blick