**Sanctioned Russian Officials Attend Global Parliamentary Summit in Geneva**
A high-level delegation of Russian officials, including the chair of Russia’s upper house of parliament, Valentina Matviyenko, has arrived in Switzerland to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament. The conference is being hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva from July 29 to 31.
Despite being under EU and Swiss sanctions for supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian delegation was granted temporary entry permission by Swiss authorities. According to Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), exceptions to entry bans can be granted under Swiss law if the person is traveling to attend an international conference. The FDFA explained that it is obliged to facilitate the participation of official delegates in international events held on Swiss territory, as per its host-state agreement with the IPU.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk and including four members, has also been registered for the event. Russia’s delegation includes 13 officials, and both sides are set to engage in discussions at the conference. The event’s agenda includes panels on parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, as well as a peaceful future in a turbulent world.
**Matviyenko Repeats Kremlin Propaganda**
Speaking from the podium at the Women Speakers’ Summit, a side event of the conference, Matviyenko repeated standard Kremlin propaganda narratives. She accused Ukraine of targeting civilians in Donetsk Oblast and justified Russia’s invasion as a necessary intervention to “stop the bloodshed.” This rhetoric comes amidst Russia’s continued escalation of attacks on Ukrainian cities, striking civilian infrastructure and causing civilian casualties.
Matviyenko also claimed that the West was waging an “information war” against Russia and called for the lifting of international sanctions. In an apparent attempt to shift public opinion, she invited leaders from other countries to visit Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
**Context and Analysis**
The presence of sanctioned Russian officials at the global parliamentary summit raises questions about the effectiveness of international sanctions in holding Moscow accountable for its actions. The conference’s agenda, which includes discussions on peace and multilateralism, provides a platform for Russia to present its narrative without being held directly accountable for its aggression.
Anna Fratsyvir, news editor at the Kyiv Independent, notes that the war in Ukraine is not officially on the agenda of the conference. However, the panels on parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, as well as the peaceful future in a turbulent world, provide an opportunity for discussions on the implications of Russia’s actions.
The participation of both Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the summit highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the need for nuanced approaches to addressing conflicts. As the global community continues to grapple with the consequences of Russia’s invasion, it remains to be seen how these discussions will unfold and what impact they may have on the future of Ukraine.
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