Overview

• On July 30 at the five-year Interparliamentary Union assembly in Geneva, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and Bundesrat President Anke Rehlinger led EU delegations in leaving the hall when Valentina Matwijenko began speaking.
• Matwijenko, the federally sanctioned chair of Russia’s Federation Council, addressed the full conference despite her place on Western sanctions lists for endorsing the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• Swiss authorities defended granting Matwijenko an entry exemption under their obligation to host international conferences neutrally.
• Russian state and pro-Kremlin media hailed her appearance as a propaganda victory, while Western critics warn that such platforms bolster Russian disinformation efforts.
• Debate is intensifying over whether neutral host nations should continue to waive sanctions for international forums or uphold accountability measures.