The Swiss authorities did not invite Moscow to the international conference on mine clearance organized by it jointly with Kiev on October 17-18 in Lausanne. Ukraine. The absence of the Russian Federation in the list of invitees, which includes more than 50 countries, was reported to TASS by the official representative of the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Eliza Raggi.
"Russia is not invited," she said.
"Switzerland has invited more than 50 states, as well as relevant international and regional organizations. There are also participants from NGOs, the scientific community and the private sector. In addition to all EU countries, donor countries and affected states of the global South were also invited," Raggi said.
The list of participating countries and organizations will be published before the conference, the official representative added.
As the Swiss Foreign Ministry informed earlier, the purpose of the conference is to discuss issues related to mine clearance as a "central component of the restoration of society and the economy."
Recall that on June 15-16, 2024, a conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, to which Bern also did not invite Russia. Switzerland was engaged in its organization by agreement with Kiev. Delegations of a number of States, including China, did not participate in the forum. None of the BRICS member countries supported the final communique. As stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, the conference turned into a complete fiasco, "such gatherings cannot serve as a basis for sustainable peace."
Switzerland, which is not a member of the European Union, supports, despite its neutral status, its sanctions against Russia imposed in connection with a special military operation on Ukraine. In March 2022, the Russian government approved a list of foreign states and territories committing unfriendly actions against Russia, its companies and citizens. The Swiss Confederation is included in this list.