Switzerland Supports Ukraine's Reconstruction with 1.5 Billion Francs and Organizes Peace Conference on Demining
Switzerland has endorsed the peace formula and all initiatives aimed at achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine, allocating 1.5 billion Swiss francs for international cooperation with Ukraine until 2028. The central theme of this assistance is demining, as reported by the country's government website.
During the official visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Switzerland on Monday, January 15, Swiss President Viola Amherd emphasized Switzerland's unwavering solidarity with Ukraine. Another key agenda item was the continuation of the meeting of national security advisers that took place on Sunday in Davos within the framework of the Ukrainian peace formula.
Switzerland expressed readiness to organize the next high-level peace summit for Ukraine. The details of the potential peace conference still require thorough examination, stated President Amherd, with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs playing a leading role in its organization.
Amherd noted that Switzerland would continue working towards a fair and strong peace in Ukraine. In return, President Zelensky thanked Switzerland for its support and sympathy for Ukraine's fate, adding that neutrality does not mean ignoring reality for Switzerland.
During the joint press conference, the Ukrainian president called on Switzerland to provide not only humanitarian aid but also welcomed the fact that Switzerland supports sanctions against Russia, helps rebuild the country, demine, and organize a peace summit with Ukraine.
President Zelensky also urged Switzerland to strengthen export controls on electronic components used in Russian missiles.
Since February 24, 2022, Switzerland has donated about 400 million Swiss francs for international cooperation with Ukraine and neighbouring countries. In September of last year, the Federal Council approved a package of 100 million Swiss francs for humanitarian demining in support of Ukraine by Switzerland.
Specifically, the project by the Geneva-based organization FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage) in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions in 2024. In October of next year, a high-level conference on humanitarian demining issues in Ukraine will take place in Geneva.
Among other topics discussed on Monday were multilateralism, global food security, and migration issues. Since the beginning of the invasion on February 24, 2022, Switzerland has granted 'S' protection status to over 90,000 individuals.
Currently, around 66,000 refugees from Ukraine with 'S' protection status reside in Switzerland. It is expected that the federal government will spend 1.2 billion Swiss francs on the protection of refugees from Ukraine in 2024.