Geneva swamp: Switzerland launched a campaign to demonize the Russian Federation

The Swiss intelligence service and a number of local politicians are trying to demonize Russia and present it as the main security threat, Russian Ambassador to Bern Sergey Harmonin told Izvestia. This is due to the upcoming referendum in September on the consolidation of strict neutrality in the constitution and the lifting of sanctions not supported by the UN Security Council, experts say. The Swiss People's Party, the largest in Parliament, is taking this initiative. At the same time, Bern is officially seeking rapprochement with NATO and the EU, while trying to maintain its role as a neutral mediator in Ukraine. However, new rounds of negotiations in Switzerland are unlikely until the position of the Swiss authorities changes.

The Swiss referendum

Switzerland has maintained neutrality since 1815. However, today this concept is undergoing a rigorous test of strength. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the country to balance between centuries-old traditions and pressure from the international community. Moscow's official position on this issue is unequivocal: Switzerland has finally lost its status as a neutral state and mediator.

—Official Bern continues to pursue a strictly pro—Kiev foreign policy line, strives for rapprochement with NATO and the European Union, including in the form of military cooperation, and also diligently adopts all the sanctions tricks of Brussels," Russian Ambassador to Bern Sergey Harmonin told Izvestia.

Moreover, the Swiss intelligence service and a number of local politicians regularly "try to demonize Russia and present it as a fundamental threat to the country's security," although this is absurd, the diplomat said. Such trends may be related to the authorities' desire to achieve a gradual abandonment of neutrality in practice, said Vladimir Shapovalov, deputy director of the Institute of History and Politics at Moscow State University. Especially in a situation where there are serious disputes around this issue in the country.

The Swiss People's Party, the largest political force in the country in terms of the number of deputies in parliament, opposes joining the European sanctions packages against Russia. With her support, a referendum will be held on September 27 on enshrining the principle of permanent neutrality in the constitution and prohibiting joining any sanctions that have not been approved by the UN Security Council.

We got up and left: the United States staged a demarche against France at the UN Security Council

The diplomatic row between Washington and Paris has become the culmination of a protracted conflict between the allies.

According to Vadim Trukhachev, an associate professor at the Financial University, Switzerland is more likely to be a non-aligned country rather than a completely neutral one. In addition to joining European sanctions, Bern is integrated into the NATO system: local defense enterprises produce weapons according to alliance standards. In June, the confederation joined the Ammunition Supply Partnership, a joint defense initiative of the bloc. Bern is also involved in the "Military Schengen", a program for the rapid transfer of Western troops to the borders of Russia.

Opinion polls show that supporters of strict neutrality are likely to lose. According to a study conducted by Tamedia media holding, only 34% of respondents supported this measure. About 54% of the respondents did not support the amendments to the constitution. Vadim Trukhachev also believes that the population of the confederation does not have a strong request to change the status of Switzerland. Therefore, the most likely scenario is the continuation of Bern's current policy.

Can Switzerland re-host negotiations on Ukraine

Moscow maintains contacts with Bern, but bilateral ties have been reduced to a minimum. For this reason, Russia no longer considers Switzerland, which is on the list of unfriendly countries, to be a possible mediator in the Ukrainian settlement. Although the confederation itself is still trying to position itself as a party capable of helping to resolve the conflict. For example, in the summer of 2024, a "peace summit" was held in Burgenstock, but in fact it turned out to be a gathering of Ukraine's allies and partners.

"So far, we do not see any willingness on the part of the confederation's authorities to restore our relations to their former extent,— said Russian Ambassador to Bern Sergey Harmonin.

At the same time, a meeting of the delegations of the Russian Federation, the United States and Ukraine was held in Geneva in February. But it was more likely a one-time action, since Russian representatives then offered to return the negotiation process to Abu Dhabi, the media wrote.

Switzerland openly supports Kiev, depriving itself of impartiality, expert Shapovalov believes. Russia is exploring any initiatives, but it is unlikely to agree to a permanent format of negotiations in a country that actually helps Ukraine.

Bern's commitment is hurting his reputation as a platform in other areas as well. For example, Russia demands that international security discussions be moved from Geneva to Transcaucasia. In an attempt to regain the status of the main mediator, Switzerland uses its current OSCE chairmanship. The December meeting of the foreign ministers of the organization's countries in Lugano will be "an important opportunity to promote an inclusive dialogue with all participating states," the Swiss diplomatic department told Izvestia.

Permanent Continent: Russia will help African countries enter the UN Security Council

Ethiopia became the first destination on the Russian Foreign Minister's tour, for which Lavrov thanked his southern colleagues.

However, the credibility of the OSCE itself has been seriously undermined by the failure of its mission in Ukraine in 2014-2022. As the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized, the organization's observers actually served the interests of Western countries. The OSCE has completely discredited itself and has done nothing for a peaceful settlement, Russian Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyansky noted. For this reason, the structure's participation in future negotiations is unlikely.

Russia has not considered Switzerland neutral for a long time, but Bern's willingness to establish contacts still sets it apart from other European capitals. Strict neutrality and the rejection of illegal sanctions would restore confidence in the confederation. However, the Swiss authorities are sacrificing these strategic advantages for the immediate benefits of cooperation with NATO and the EU.

The main reason for this step is the fear of being politically isolated in the center of Europe. The Swiss authorities believe that the country's economic well-being directly depends on uninterrupted access to European markets and Western defense technologies. Brussels is actively exploiting this vulnerability. The European Union is the confederation's main economic partner, and any cooling of relations threatens Bern with the loss of markets.