Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis wants to use Switzerland’s OSCE chairmanship in 2026 to prepare for a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.
Dec 7, 2025, 9:57 amDec 7, 2025, 9:57 am
“My goal is that we as the OSCE are ready,” said Cassis in an interview with “SonntagsBlick”. A deal between Russia and Ukraine that US President Donald Trump is seeking could “happen all of a sudden – like the Gaza deal.” The Swiss OSCE Chairmanship has three main priorities: consolidating the organization as a security policy exchange platform for confidence-building measures, resolving the blocked budget issue and preparing for a possible deployment after a ceasefire.
Ignazio Cassis wants to be ready when there is a peace agreement for Ukraine.Image: keystone
The OSCE could send observers at short notice, monitor a ceasefire line and monitor elections. “But the front line currently consists of 1,300 kilometers – the OSCE alone is too small to observe the entire length; “It would require a lot of commitment from the participating states,” said Cassis. According to the Foreign Minister, the USA, as the largest contributor, criticizes the organization as having “lost its compass” like other multilateral institutions and is pushing for budget cuts.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) brings together 57 states from Europe to North America. All decisions must be made by consensus; each member has the right of veto. Finland will chair the organization until the end of the year. From January 1st, Switzerland will take over this position for one year. The OSCE is currently stuck in adopting a budget and determining the chairmanship for 2027. (sda)