"The vision of Switzerland is not that of the Kremlin or that of Ukraine. It is the vision of the Swiss government. Switzerland believes we can play a role of the bridge, and…we are able to discuss the conflict situation with everyone," Burkhalter said after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Burkhalter said it was important to look for a solution instead of playing a blame game. He admitted there were differences between Moscow and Bern on the issue but underscored the importance of finding a way out of the Ukrainian crisis together.
"On Ukraine, I want to say that we do not agree on every issue with Russia, there are differences, but it does not prevent us from cooperation and looking for attempts to find a solution," Burkhalter said.
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) said last week it had registered a spike in violence in the Donetsk region. It also continued to note the presence and use of proscribed weapons within the agreed security zone in eastern Ukraine.
