Secretary General
Dear colleagues
Ladies and gentlemen

I was looking forward to meeting you, finally in person, to talk about the challenges facing the transport sector. But the war in Ukraine has cast a dramatic shadow over our meeting. Indeed it is not a challenge, it is a catastrophe.

I would like to thank the International Transport Forum for giving us the opportunity, today, to express our solidarity with Ukraine and to assure it of our support.

Ladies and gentlemen, Minister Kubrakov,

Switzerland condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. It calls on Russia to immediately cease all combat operations and to withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory without delay.

Switzerland is very concerned by the allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Russia's large-scale military aggression against Ukraine poses a massive threat to the security of the entire continent.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The International Transport Forum is dedicated to promoting the development of transport. We meet every year to contribute to economic and social growth and the well-being of the population.

This aspect is very present in Ukraine. I saw this when I visited Ukraine in 2020 – where I also met Minister Kubrakov. Ukraine made huge investments in transport infrastructure and especially in the railway system. President Selensky told me that for him the railway system was not only important for the economic and social growth but also for the cohesion in his country.

What is happening right now is the opposite of all that. It is harming the population. War brings death, war reduces to ashes what has been built up over many years. Transport infrastructure is being deliberately targeted. Railways and roads are being destroyed, Black Sea ports are blocked.

Despite everything, we have to ensure now that supplies continue to reach Ukraine, but also that it continues to be able to export, in particular its agriculture products.

Switzerland is organising a series of shipments of food and humanitarian aid, our freight wagons are shipping railway material to Ukraine, such as equipment to ensure safety on construction sites. And my country is providing rolling stock to help transport refugees.

This is urgency.

But we already have to start thinking ahead to the future.

Some of you may know: Ukraine and Switzerland were planning a reform conference in Switzerland, in Lugano on July 4 and 5.

Following 24 February, and after discussions with the Ukrainian government, we jointly decided to continue the preparation of the conference. The content has been adjusted to this tragic situation and we will of course discuss questions of recovery.

The analysis which ITF is conducting is extremely helpful. Switzerland looks forward to working with all of you to jointly support the population of Ukraine.

Statement von Bundesrätin Simonetta Sommaruga am Roundtable des ITF zum Ukraine-Krieg, Leipzig 19. Mai 2022