Russian embassy assesses Swiss peace initiative on Ukraine

Moscow does not see Switzerland as a potential mediator in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, the Russian Embassy in Bern has told Izvestiya.

"We are ready for a substantive and constructive dialog with Swiss representatives, including on Ukraine. A fresh example is Minister Sergei Lavrov's contacts with his Swiss vis-a-vis Inyatso Cassis, which took place on December 18. However, this does not mean that Russia considers Switzerland as a potential mediator, especially if the Confederation continues to follow a blatantly pro-Kiev course in the new year," the Russian diplomatic mission said.

"Pressure and attempts by Western countries to impose capitulation on Russia through a Kiev-style 'peace formula' will not change the Russian Federation's approach, as it concerns the country's fundamental national interests, the Russian Embassy added.

"Such attempts are doubly inappropriate now, when the Kiev regime is clearly demonstrating its terrorist nature to the whole world, and its positions on the front are visibly deteriorating day by day," the diplomats said.

Earlier, the Temps newspaper reported that the Swiss authorities were actively working on the organization of the second conference on Ukraine. The first summit on Ukraine was held in June this year in Swiss Bürgenstock.

Read more in Izvestia's exclusive piece:

Negotiating foul: Russia does not see Switzerland as a mediator on Ukraine