Swiss FM Cassis Meets Lavrov in Moscow Amid Ukraine Peace Efforts
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis traveled to Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, following several days spent in Kyiv. The visit, undertaken in his capacity as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office – and not primarily as Switzerland’s foreign minister – aimed to foster dialogue, Cassis stated on X, asserting that such dialogue requires engagement “with all sides.”
Cassis was accompanied by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, the Secretary General of the OSCE. The two are scheduled to address the media in Vienna at 17:00 local time to discuss their visit.
During the meeting, Cassis and Sinirlioğlu emphasized the need to end the war in Ukraine, according to a statement released by the OSCE. They underscored the continued high human cost of the conflict. Cassis commented that discussions centered on “the necessity of dialogue” and the role the OSCE could play “in supporting efforts towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on international law.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a post on X, highlighted what it described as a deep crisis within the OSCE. However, the organization remains one of the last international forums – alongside the United Nations – in which Russia continues to actively participate, or is permitted to participate.
The OSCE, with 57 participating States spanning Europe, Central Asia, and America, is the world’s largest regional security organization. It operates on the principle of consensus, with all participating States holding equal status. The organization’s approach to security is described as comprehensive and co-operative, focusing on political dialogue, shared values, and joint action.
Recent OSCE activities, as reported on February 6, 2026, include Chairman-in-Office Cassis and Secretary General Sinirlioğlu’s visit to Moscow, and the completion of advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal training for Central Asian specialists in Tajikistan. The OSCE also recently donated surveillance equipment to the State Border Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan and supported an assessment of money-laundering risks linked to virtual assets in Tajikistan.
The OSCE has been actively involved in Ukraine, with ongoing projects, news, and reports available on its website. The organization’s work extends to various areas, including combating trafficking, promoting ethical journalism, and addressing the legacy of the Cold War.
Ignazio Cassis, a Swiss physician and politician, has served as a member of the Swiss Federal Council since November 1, 2017, and is currently serving as Vice President of the Swiss Confederation for 2026. He is a member of FDP.The Liberals.
