BERN, 8 June 2014 - Didier Burkhalter, OSCE-Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister, today confirmed his agreement to send seasoned Swiss diplomat and Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini to accompany talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation aiming at ending violence in Ukraine. Tagliavini has arrived in Kyiv.

Burkhalter welcomed Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s initiative to launch talks on stopping violence rapidly. He underlined that the silencing of weapons would significantly improve conditions for meaningful dialogue, which is key for stabilizing the situation in Ukraine and resolving the crisis.