‘Join us at the table’

Transcending our differences to pave the way for peace requires resolve and conviction.

Ignazio CassisThe author is Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister. The war in Ukraine has been raging for almost 28 months now. In the past 840 days, thousands of people have died and entire families have been forced to leave their homes and country. Russia’s war against Ukraine, which started on 24 February 2022, is in violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.

The conflict is not confined to Russia and Ukraine. It has impacts far beyond the continent of Europe — a powder keg that could potentially explode across the whole world. Nations across the globe all face the same threats: attacks on territorial sovereignty, nuclear threats, food shortages, restrictions on freedom of shipping and violations of international humanitarian law. As “the peoples of the United Nations,” we cannot stand idly by.

But how can we move forward in view of serious clashes of culture and deadlock within international organisations? I am convinced that we can transcend our differences and garner the necessary political will by coming together in our common humanity.

Switzerland has a culture of engaging in dialogue. And I would remind those who call us naive that Switzerland is a country with four cultures and four official languages, and that our unity in diversity derives from our ability to speak to one another. Without dialogue, Switzerland would not exist. We believe there is always scope for dialogue, even when voices haven fallen silent and weapons are wielded instead.

We are seeing blatant violations of the UN Charter and Geneva Conventions on which the rules-based international order is founded. As Switzerland’s foreign minister, I believe the time has come to foster the art of dialogue in the service of advancing world peace. Switzerland has recognised its responsibility and, at President Zelenskyy’s request, organised the first High-Level Conference for Peace in Ukraine to be held on June 15 and 16.

It may be too early to establish peace, but it is certainly time to prepare for it. The aim of the conference is therefore to set out a common framework and concrete steps towards a future peace process. In practical terms, we are ready to pursue necessary and courageous dialogue and provide a forum for different points of view on the conflict, with international law as our common frame of reference.

Firstly, we wish to build a shared understanding, involving as many states as possible, of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Discussions will focus specifically on various peace plans already put forward.

Secondly, our platform for exchange will focus on subjects of global concern, as touched on above, including nuclear security, food security, freedom of shipping and humanitarian issues, such as the exchange of prisoners.

Thirdly, any endeavour to end the war in Ukraine can only translate into a specific, effective action by discussing at the highest political level how to involve Russia in such a process.

As a neutral state with a long humanitarian and diplomatic tradition, Switzerland has always been able to listen to and understand the different interests at play. On our own, the road to peace becomes a road to nowhere, but together we can go the distance, provided we are moving in the same direction. To achieve this, we need to pool our strengths, ideas and world views, however different they may be.

These are not just grand statements: with these words, we seek to bring about this crucial dialogue at the Ukraine peace conference, to be hosted by Switzerland in the heart of the Alps. Transcending our differences to pave the way for peace requires resolve and conviction. But it will also take considerable effort for us all to sit down at the same table — the sort of effort needed to climb a Swiss mountain.

I am counting upon your participation. Join us at the table!