"The second country that Switzerland has talked to about holding such a conference after Ukraine is Russia. No peace process can be implemented without Russia, even if Moscow does not participate in the first peace conference on Ukraine organized in Switzerland," Cassis told a press conference.
The participation of Belarus in the summit is also "unlikely", but its presence is not of the main importance, according to the Swiss minister.
At the same time, Cassis added that the US had confirmed its participation.
"The Swiss Federal Council decided today to hold the conference [on Ukraine]. It will be held in Burgenstock in the canton of Nidwalden in June 2024," the president told a press conference.
Earlier this week, a spokesman of the Russian embassy in Bern, Vladimir Khokhlov, told Sputnik that Switzerland has not invited Russia to the Ukraine peace summit, and Moscow is not planning to participate in any case.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a meeting with Cassis in January, emphasized that Moscow takes into account Bern's departure from neutrality principles and its support for Kiev while shaping bilateral relations. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated in February that Switzerland's potential as an "honest broker" in conflict resolution has been exhausted for Russia.
Moscow has repeatedly signaled readiness for negotiations, yet Kiev has legislatively imposed a ban on them. The West calls on Russia for talks, to which Moscow shows willingness, but Western circles overlook Kiev's consistent refusal for dialogue.
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged in an interview with CBS that not all countries wish to attend the Ukraine summit in Switzerland due to relations with Russia.