Ms Riniker was received in Kyiv by her counterpart Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chair of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. She also met further representatives of the Ukrainian parliament and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The political talks centred on the current war situation, international support for the country and the humanitarian needs of the people affected by the war.Bilateral relations, Switzerland's contribution, the implementation of sanctions against Russia and the situation of abducted Ukrainian children were also discussed. Ms Riniker reaffirmed Switzerland's willingness to work for a sustainable and just peace based on the United Nations Charter and to continue to help search for a diplomatic solution through its good offices. In her speech at the celebration of Switzerland's National Day, celebrated early in Kyiv, Maja Riniker emphasised Switzerland's continuing ties with the Ukrainian people. Ms Riniker was accompanied to Kyiv by National Council member Laurent Wehrli (FDP, VD), who chairs the National Council Foreign Affairs Committee.
A further focus of the official visit is Switzerland's support for the people of Ukraine. Ms Riniker travelled to Kharkiv on 8 July 2025 to gain a picture of the needs of the local population. She talked to representatives of local authorities and visited a number of Swiss projects in the field of humanitarian aid and vocational training. In Vinnytsia, where Switzerland has been involved in international cooperation for the past 20 years or so, on the following day Ms Riniker visited various Swiss projects in the fields of energy efficiency, strengthening local structures through reform processes, economic reconstruction and public transport.
By the end of May 2025, the federal government will have provided around CHF 5.16 billion in financial support for the people in Ukraine and Switzerland who are affected by the war. From 2025 to 2036, Ukraine will receive a further CHF 5 billion, making this the largest country programme in the history of Switzerland's international cooperation.
The Swiss parliament plays a key role in supporting Ukraine, is regularly consulted by the Federal Council and debates the required legislation. As Ms Riniker explained:"In my role as the president of the National Council, it is therefore very important for me to get a detailed picture and to obtain first-hand information about the situation in Ukraine and the status of Swiss projects."
Ms Riniker was received in Kyiv by her counterpart Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chair of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.
Meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ms Riniker on a project visit to Kharkiv.
In Vinnytsia, Ms Riniker learnt about the city's long-standing cooperation with Switzerland.