Zelensky demands even more commitment from Switzerland
Several thousand people gathered on Saturday afternoon in Federal Square to watch the Ukrainian president’s speech live on video.
President Zelensky welcomed the fact that Switzerland opposes the war and also supports the sanctions.
KEYSTONE/PETER KLAUNZER
“We are grateful that they support us,” Volodymyr Zelensky told participants of a peace demonstration in Bern, live from kyiv. However, he criticized the fact that Swiss companies continue to do business in Russia.
The slogan of Nestlé, a Swiss company, is “good food, good life”, declared the Ukrainian president during a live connection with the federal square where several thousand people had gathered on Saturday since 3:00 p.m. under the slogan “Solidarity with Ukraine, let’s stop the war now!” And this company does not want to leave Russia: “Business in Russia is working, although our children are dying and our cities are being destroyed,” Zelensky stressed.
He asked that Switzerland do even more. If the oligarchs’ money is frozen in the banks and their privileges are taken away, this is also a fight against evil, he said.
Defend the values of the free world
The President of the Confederation Ignazio Cassis spoke beforehand. “We sympathize with the suffering that hits your country,” he told the Ukrainian president. “Several thousand people are gathered here in Bern to show you that your people are not alone”.
“We sympathize with the suffering that strikes your country”, launched President of the Confederation Ignazio Cassis to Ukrainian President Zelensky.
KEYSTONE/PETER KLAUNZER
“People are deeply impressed by the courage of the Ukrainian people who are fighting for democracy and freedom, as well as by their determination to stand up against oppression and to defend the fundamental values of the free world, which are also ours” , added Mr. Cassis.
“Switzerland combines neutrality with a humanitarian tradition,” he continued. “It is a small country that is resolutely committed to freedom. She is ready to play a mediating role behind the scenes or to host negotiations”.
“We are here out of respect for Ukraine, in the hope that the guns will fall silent quickly,” also said the President of the Confederation. He demanded that humanitarian corridors be opened immediately and hoped that Switzerland could help rebuild what will have been destroyed, when the time comes.
Addressing Ukrainians who have found refuge in Switzerland, he said: “You are welcome.”
In Winterthur (ZH), a thousand demonstrators protested calmly against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at the call of several parties and trade unions. In Bellinzona, a hundred people did the same, waving flags for peace or urging Russian President Putin to leave.
Visit to Poland and Moldova
Ignazio Cassis will travel to Poland and Moldova on Monday, where he intends to get direct information on the situation of refugees and on Swiss humanitarian aid.
Previously, Ukrainian Ambassador Artem Rybchenko and Bern Mayor Alec von Graffenried addressed the protesters, also expressing their solidarity. The event was held under the motto “we are one” – “We are one”.
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