Russian ambassador summoned over ‘sham’ referendums in Ukraine
Switzerland has said it will not recognise the results of any "sham" referendums held in Ukraine.
Keystone / Alessandro Guerra
The Swiss foreign ministry said that it called a meeting with Russia’s top diplomat in Bern on Thursday regarding “sham” referendums taking place in Ukrainian territories partially occupied by Russia.
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Suiza convoca a embajador ruso en relación con referendos en Ucrania
In a statement on Friday, the government reiterated statements previously made by Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who also holds the rotating Swiss presidency this year, during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
“The Federal Council condemns this latest violation of Ukrainian sovereignty by Russia and will not recognise the results of any of these sham referendums,” wrote the ministry. It added that this position was “clearly stated” to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a bilateral meeting in New York on Wednesday.
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Swiss president repeats good offices offer to Russian foreign minister
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Ignazio Cassis has reiterated the offer for Switzerland to represent Ukraine’s interests in Russia.
Moscow-backed officials in areas of Ukraine partially occupied by Russia (parts of the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and possibly more) are currently holding referendums on joining the Russian Federation. Under international law, these regions belong to Ukraine – as does Crimea, the Swiss government wrote.
It called on Russia to respect Ukraine’s existing legal system and to comply with both human rights and international humanitarian law.
In response to the referendums in Ukraine, the EU has also announced new sanctions on Russia which – if implemented – the Swiss government will also consider adopting, the foreign ministry said.
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Switzerland will not recognise ‘sham’ Ukraine referendums
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Switzerland has joined other Western nations in condemning Russian plans for referendums in four occupied areas of Ukraine.
Switzerland listed as ‘unfriendly’ country by Russia
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Moscow published the list on Monday after being hit by Western financial sanctions. All corporate deals with companies and individuals from the so-called “unfriendly countries” now have to be approved by a government commission, according to Reuters. The list follows a presidential decree on March 5 allowing the Russian government, companies and citizens to temporarily…
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