RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: What are the risks of escalation?

The conference on the impact of the war in Ukraine, which will be held on the afternoon of April 4th (2pm – 5:15pm) at the Geneva Press Club, will bring together ambassadors as well as high-level experts and representatives from international organizations. The event will be held in English and in french (with simultaneous interpretation) and will be followed by a cocktail.

The first roundtable will evaluate the risks of extension and nuclearization of the conflict. The second debate will explore ways to ensure the long-term reception of more than eight million Ukrainian refugees. 

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the war has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, and the world is concerned about the risks of the conflict’s extension, even the possibility of resorting to nuclear weapons. Moscow’s threats against neighboring countries such as Moldova and Georgia add to the tension. At the same time, the flow of Ukrainian refugees to Europe continues, with over eight million people having fled the war, of which about five million benefit from protection in a European country. European solidarity is being tested in every way, without a peaceful settlement solution emerging yet.

Program 

● 2 PM – 2.15 PM: Arrival of the guests and participants
● 2.15 PM – 2.20 PM: Welcome address, Mr. Pierre Ruetschi, Executive director of the Geneva Press Club
● 2.20 PM – 2.35 PM: keynote speech, H.E Iryna Venediktova, Ukrainian ambassador to Switzerland.
● 2.35 PM – 2.45 PM:Q&A  H.E Iryna Venediktova with Aline Jaccottet, chief of international section, Le Temps
● 2.45 PM – 3.45 PM: Panel discussion. What are the risks of escalation and/or extension of the Russian-Ukrainian war?

With

• Introductory remarks  by  H.E. Tatiana Molcean, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Moldova to the UN in Geneva 
• H.E. Iryna Venediktova, Ambassador of Ukraine in Switzerland
• Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli, Director of the Global and Emerging Risks Department at the Geneva Center for Security Policy
• Mr. Pierre Hazan, Senior Advisor to the Geneva Center for Humanitarian Dialogue
• Moderator: Mr. Pierre Ruetschi, Executive Director, Geneva Press Club

● 3.45 PM – 4. 15 PM: Break
● 4.15 PM – 5.15 PM:Panel discussion. What perspective for Ukrainian refugees?

With

• Introductory remarks Mrs. Gillian Triggs, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection UNHCR
• Professor Vincent Chetail, Director of the Migration Center, Graduate Institute
• Mrs. Christine Hawrylyshyn-Batruch, president of the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation et and Member of the Ukrainian Society in Switzerland
• Moderator: Mrs. Michelle Langrand, Journalist, Geneva Solutions

● 5.15 PM – 6 PM: cocktail