Involving China in Ukraine-Russia peace talks may be challenging – Swiss foreign minister

At a meeting of national security advisors and political advisors of state leaders in Davos, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said that it will be challenging to involve China, which does not participate in the forum, in the peace talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, but it should be strived for.

SWI reports this.

One of the journalists asked what Cassis thinks about Russia's degree of readiness actually to start peace talks with Ukraine.

In response, he noted:

"Achieving this will be difficult, but there is no alternative; Russia must also be part of the negotiations; it must be involved in one form or another; the Ukrainian plan (Peace Formula – ed.) is the basis for ending the war with Moscow. Every day, waiting leads to the death of dozens of civilians. We have no right to wait."

At the same time, the Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs looks optimistically at future consultations, for example, at the upcoming WEF event in Davos.

"However, as was said, the goal of these negotiations should be to bring Russia to the negotiating table," he added.

According to him, Switzerland participates in numerous projects in Ukraine, such as humanitarian aid and humanitarian demining, and this cooperation will continue.

The minister noted that Russia is not currently interested in a ceasefire. Therefore, it is all the more critical that the countries of both the Global South and the Global North unite and work for the benefit of peace.

"We should be ready for future peace talks (already now)," the government official said.

Cassis once again emphasized that the participation of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in the peace talks is essential.

Unfortunately, China did not participate in this event, so it will be challenging to encourage this country to participate (in the peace process). However, he noted that this goal must also be achieved.

For reference:

As Rubryka reported, the fourth meeting of national security advisors and political advisors of state leaders regarding the implementation of the Peace Formula began in Davos on January 14.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, is scheduled to speak at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos on January 16.

Among the participants of this meeting are 81 countries and international organizations. At the previous meeting held in Malta, there were 66 participants.