The Swiss Parliament sends “a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people”, by retransmitting a speech by Volodymyr Zelensky at the Federal Palace. The President of the National Council Martin Candinas (Center / GR) welcomed the Ukrainian head of state on Thursday.
Neutrality is undoubtedly an important principle of Swiss politics, but it does not mean turning a blind eye to injustice, Graubünden told the Federal Assembly gathered in the National Hall. In this conflict, one should not “hesitate to clearly designate the aggressor and the victim”, he added.
It is for this reason that the Confederation has taken over the sanctions of the European Union against Russia. It also offers protection to people fleeing Ukraine and provides humanitarian aid.
For Mr. Candinas, the values for which Ukrainian men and women risk their lives “are also our values. Ukraine’s security and independence have a direct impact on Switzerland’s security and independence”.
The SVP criticized the decision to broadcast the speech on the premises of Parliament and announced that it would boycott the speech. She denounces a measure that weakens Swiss policy and neutrality. In his eyes, it is the President of the Confederation Alain Berset or the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis who should listen to Mr. Zelensky, not Parliament.
Conviction
Mr. Candinas, however, recalled the declaration adopted by both Houses of Parliament just days after the start of the war, on February 24, 2022. Shocked by the suffering caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the councils had then strongly condemned Russia’s actions.
Fifteen months later, “we must not get used to and we will not get used to the atrocities” committed by the Russian forces, insisted Mr. Candinas. Attacks against the civilian population and civilian infrastructure are “unacceptable” and constitute “a clear violation of international humanitarian law”. The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam is just the latest example.
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