published25. September 2022, 05:21
No asylum for conscientious objectorsUkrainian ambassador warns Switzerland of Putin’s spies
Artem Rybchenko, Ukrainian Ambassador to Switzerland, does not want to comment on the handshake between Federal President Ignazio Cassis and the Russian Foreign Minister.
“There is a risk that Russia will try to smuggle agents into Switzerland and the EU via the asylum route,” says Rybchenko.
20min / Taddeo Cerletti
“We are grateful for Switzerland’s efforts”: The Ukrainian embassy in Bern.
20min / Taddeo Cerletti
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Switzerland should refrain from granting asylum to Russian deserters and conscientious objectors, says the Ukrainian ambassador.
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For Artem Rybchenko it is clear that Russia will try to smuggle spies into Switzerland via the asylum route.
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The Ukrainian ambassador does not want to comment on the handshake between German President Ignazio Cassis and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
After the partial mobilization in Russia, Artem Rybchenko calls on Switzerland not to grant asylum to Russian deserters and conscientious objectors. That is “a security risk,” says the Ukrainian ambassador in an interview with the “Sunday Newspaper”. “There is a risk that Russia will try to smuggle agents into Switzerland and the EU via the asylum route. We know that in the past Switzerland was a place where a particularly large number of Russian spies stayed.»
In addition, Rybchenko is of the opinion that the Russians should defend themselves better in their own country instead of going abroad. “So far, people in Russia have distanced themselves far too little from the war.” He regards the protests against the mobilization that are now emerging as a positive signal. “All the more reason why the European states shouldn’t give the Russians additional funds so that they can continue to hide.”
“We are grateful for Switzerland’s efforts”
When asked whether Switzerland should simply look on instead of protecting the Russian men, Rybchenko said in the “SonntagsZeitung”: “My compatriots had to flee because Russia forced us into a war that violated international law. Mostly women and children have left the country. The men stayed behind to defend Ukraine and freedom in Europe. Russian men, on the other hand, just run away instead of defending themselves in their own country.”
The Ukrainian ambassador does not want to comment on the handshake between German President Ignazio Cassis and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. «It is clear that Russia keeps trying to exploit such meetings for its own propaganda. On the other hand, we must find a solution to this war. We are aware that this only works if there is a dialogue. That’s why we are very grateful for the efforts of Switzerland and Federal President Cassis.”
(chk)