Switzerland in the minefield of the war in Ukraine Plans for a major peace conference: this is how the day of Zelensky’s visit to Bern went

Volodymyr Zelenskyj may have often been annoyed by Switzerland. But the Ukrainian president had no complaints about the reception in Bern. He met in the Federal Palace with the heads of the National Council and the Council of States, as well as the parties (except the SVP). He was then greeted at the Lohn estate by three members of the Federal Council.

At the subsequent media conference, Federal President Viola Amherd made a surprising announcement: “Switzerland is ready to organize a high-level peace summit,” said the Defense Minister. Preparations would begin immediately, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA).

This announcement is not entirely unexpected. Zelensky has been trying to gain broad support for his 10-point peace formula for some time. Four conferences in “technical” format have already taken place, the last of which took place last Sunday in Davos. The Ukrainians’ next goal is a major peace summit, preferably at government level.

The prestige of Switzerland

Switzerland would like to help with this. However, the aggressor Russia, which has been waging a murderous war of aggression against its neighbor for almost two years, is not there. From a Ukrainian perspective it is even undesirable. Zelensky wants to get as many countries as possible on his side, especially from the Global South, as he explained at the media conference.

It’s a smart strategy. If things don’t go well on the battlefield, Ukraine wants to at least achieve a breakthrough at the diplomatic level. Switzerland is a “means to an end”. Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s visit to Bern was not so much about weapons and money, but about Switzerland’s prestige as a neutral mediator.

The “cooperative neutrality”

In Europe and the US, their neutrality may be increasingly questioned for refusing to pass on weapons or for not seizing enough Russian money. However, in many parts of the world, Switzerland’s image is intact because it has never been a colonial power, does not pursue a geopolitical agenda and because of its humanitarian tradition.

Therefore, it must provide Ukraine with the necessary support. But in doing so, Switzerland is embarking on a risky path straight into the minefield of war in Ukraine. She definitively chooses the side of the attacked country. To put it more nicely, it practices the “cooperative neutrality” that the Federal Council rejected in the fall of 2022.

Criticism of the “heavyweights”

This can be seen as a recognition of global reality. But the risks are significant. Viola Amherd tried to temper expectations on Monday: “We want this peace process to be successful.” This can only succeed if ‘heavyweights’ such as Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa participate.

They were represented at the conference in Davos on Sunday. But there was apparently criticism from their side of Zelensky’s ‘peace formula’, as his office boss Andriy Yermak admitted in the media. Some persuasion will probably still be required for a summit at ministerial level or even with the heads of state or government.

Skepticism towards the West

Many states in the South find it difficult to distance themselves from Russia. This may have historical reasons. The Soviet Union had supported numerous liberation movements against Western colonial powers, including the African National Congress (ANC), which had ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994.

He was portrayed in the West as a communist and terrorist. This was true even of its leader, Nelson Mandela, who was later celebrated as an icon of freedom and peace. The South Africans have not forgotten that. About a year ago, they caused irritation and concern with a joint naval maneuver with Russia and China.

The China problem

In any case, China is the “problem case”. Without his participation, a peace summit makes little sense. Before the war began, Beijing had sent hopeful signals. Since then, President Xi Jinping has unashamedly supported his ‘male friend’ Vladimir Putin. They are united by their hatred of the ‘collective West’ and their desire for lost imperial greatness.

This alliance still seems to hold. A meeting between Zelensky and Chinese Premier Li Qiang that Switzerland had hoped for did not take place, although both were in Bern on Monday and the WEF in Davos only started on Tuesday. According to the “Tages-Anzeiger”, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will now soon travel to Beijing.

Danger of failure

He therefore wants to hold discussions about China’s possible participation in the peace summit. But Cassis has nothing to offer the Chinese. He will arrive as a supplicant and will have to use all his diplomatic skills, which have so far made the Ticino native unnoticed. There is a high risk that he will return empty-handed.

In this case, other important countries could also hesitate to participate in a high-level conference in Switzerland. Switzerland would only have the option to organize a meeting with the “usual suspects”. Or admitting failure. She is said to have let Volodymyr Zelensky ‘make efforts’ for an impossible mission.

Perhaps the feat will succeed. It would be good for Ukraine, it can use all the help. However, failure could potentially have a salutary effect for Switzerland. It should finally realize that neutrality and good offices no longer have any meaning in the current geopolitical environment. What matters is power and influence.