Switzerland maintains the fundamental ban on the transfer of arms or ammunition to warring parties. Military support to Ukraine is therefore still not on the agenda.
“Given our legal framework in the Switzerland arms export is not possible,” President Alain Berset told reporters in New York on Tuesday. “We must and want to keep this legal framework for the government and the Bundesrat.”
Berset defended his country’s traditionally “very cautious and moderate” position and in this context also expressed skepticism about Germany’s demand to buy back decommissioned Leopard tanks. Changes to the preconditions are currently being discussed by parliament. But it is “not the time for changes and we cannot make exceptions,” the head of state said on the sidelines of a meeting of the UN Women’s Rights Council.
Sanctions are supported
The neutrality debate in the Switzerland has become more topical since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the Alpine country – which is not a member of the EU – supports the sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union, it has so far been adamant about its military neutrality. Various initiatives to relax the regulations are being discussed in parliament, but a decision is not expected for several months.
Source: Krone
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