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Switzerland involved in preparing Ukraine ceasefire talks — Foreign Ministry

According to the ministry, another peace conference is not being considered

GENEVA, December 23. /TASS/. The Swiss authorities are engaged in the arrangement of ceasefire talks in Ukraine, but organizing a new Ukrainian summit is not under consideration, the Swiss Foreign Ministry told TASS.

"Switzerland continues to stay in touch with all parties involved in the conflict," the Swiss Foreign Ministry stated. "Another peace conference is not being considered. The country is now focusing on preparations for ceasefire discussions, with the upcoming US election being a key factor," the ministry added.

Representatives of the Swiss Foreign Ministry declined to specify which countries are involved in preparing the talks or who initiated these efforts.

"Switzerland remains ready to offer its services (as a neutral party in the conflict - TASS)," the ministry stated. "It is now crucial to take decisive steps to bring the two sides closer together. This is where Switzerland can make the most substantial contribution, leveraging its experience and expertise," the ministry added.

On December 16, the Swiss Le Temps newspaper reported, citing Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, that Switzerland was actively participating in the preparations for the next summit on Ukraine. It said that the preparations included interaction with Russia, as well as with the US and other G7 countries.

The first Kiev-initiated conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16. Russia was not invited. A number of countries, including China, refrained from attending. None of the BRICS member states endorsed the meeting’s final communique. The Russian foreign ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, dismissed the conference as a total failure, arguing that such "get-togethers" did nothing to bring a lasting peace.

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