GENEVA, December 19. /TASS/. No improvements in the Swiss government's stance toward Russia were seen in 2023, Russia’s ambassador to Switzerland Sergey Garmonin said in an interview with TASS, adding that Bern follows EU policy on a number of subjects.
"Unfortunately, we have not seen any positive changes in the position of the official Swiss authorities this year," he said adding that so far there is no cause for any changes in 2024.
The Swiss authorities continue to follow the Hague Conventions regarding the rights and obligations of neutral powers, but they are finding it more and more difficult to veer away from NATO as Bern drifts in that direction. "The Swiss authorities adhere to the text of the conventions, but we see that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to maneuver," the ambassador said.
Garmonin stated, "It is clear that at some point, it will be difficult to fit the demands of Western countries on Bern into the framework of international law. The question of which is more significant will emerge: false ‘solidarity’ or national identity and sovereignty."
At the same time, the meeting on the Ukrainian "peace formula" that is planned for January 14 in Davos will not bring peace, the diplomat noted, adding that it is astonishing that Swiss diplomacy supported this blatantly unsuccessful initiative.
Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual conference, scheduled for January 15-19, 2024, in Davos, Switzerland, will not have a representative from Russia. "Russia will not be represented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, as neither this year nor last year's organizers sent invitations to Russia," the ambassador stated.