In January 2024, President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks in Bern. At the time, she assured President Zelenskyy of Switzerland's support in organising a high-level peace conference in Switzerland. Since then, Switzerland has been in direct contact with numerous states to explore options for initiating a peace process. During the initial exploratory phase, Switzerland held talks with G7 member states, the EU and representatives of the Global South such as China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia. At its meeting today, the Federal Council took note of the results to date and discussed the next steps. There is currently sufficient international support for a high-level conference to launch the peace process. The conference will be held in June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort, hosted by President of the Confederation Viola Amherd.
The conference aims to establish a forum for a high-level dialogue on ways to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. It aims to create a common understanding of a framework favourable to this objective and a concrete roadmap for the peace process.
The Federal Council is aware that there are still some unknowns leading up to June, but in view of Switzerland's long-standing diplomatic tradition and the encouraging feedback received during the exploratory phase, it considers it its responsibility to contribute to the peace process in Ukraine. The exploratory phase has thus been concluded and the implementation phase is now under way.
An FDFA task force headed by Ambassador Gabriel Lüchinger and an interdepartmental steering group (FDFA, DDPS, FDJP and EAER) headed by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis are in charge of the preparations for the event. The task force is also working on the necessary security and logistical aspects in close coordination with the relevant federal authorities, the Swiss Armed Forces, and the cantons of Nidwalden, Lucerne and Zurich.
Address for enquiries:
For further information:
FDFA Communication
Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55
kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
DDPS Communication
Tel. +41 58 464 50 85
kommunikation@gs-vbs.admin.ch
Publisher:
The Federal Council
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
