politico-switzerland-may-reconsider-neutrality-due-to-russian-aggression

Politico: Switzerland may reconsider neutrality due to Russian aggression

 • 24190 переглядiв

Bern may lift the ban on arms re-exports, as it has affected relations with some countries

Russian aggression against Ukraine may cause Switzerland to revise its neutrality policy, which it has maintained since 1515. This was reported by Politico with reference to the report of the expert working group on the country's security, UNN reports.

Details

“Following Russia's attack on Ukraine, neutrality has once again become a subject of political debate both at home and abroad. The pressure on Switzerland to clarify its position is growing,” the document says.

Diplomats, high-ranking officials and the military worked on the report. The recommendations will form the basis of the Swiss security strategy for 2025.

The authors of the report recommend lifting the ban on arms re-exports, as Bern currently prohibits the sale of weapons to countries at war. As a result, arms exports fell by 27% last year to less than 746 million euros.

The current neutrality has also affected Switzerland's relations with other states that would like to send weapons with Swiss components to Ukraine but are unable to do so.

At the same time, experts are not suggesting that Switzerland should completely abandon its neutrality and join NATO, but they are calling for deeper ties with the Alliance and the European Union for joint training and defense against ballistic missiles.

The authors of the report also called for reaching a level of military spending of 1% of GDP by 2030. Currently, Switzerland spends 0.76% of GDP on defense, far less than any NATO member except Iceland.

The article says that although it is unlikely that Switzerland will be attacked, the report shows that the country is already the target of hybrid warfare, including disinformation, espionage, and cyberattacks. Experts recommend moving toward “global defense,” meaning preparing the entire society, not just the military.

Швейцарія розширює санкції проти росії: стосується заборони на алмази21.08.24, 21:24

Lilia Podolyak

War

    Popular

    Consequences of an enemy attack in Odesa region: one person killed, nine wounded

     • 97953 переглядiв

    Large-scale nighttime shelling of Kharkiv: dozens of casualties and destruction

     • 104158 переглядiв

    Von der Leyen at the Budapest Summit: Europe must decide its own destiny

     • 109385 переглядiв

    New report from Kharkiv: the number of people injured in the shelling reached 25

     • 101016 переглядiв

    News by theme

    Politico: Switzerland may reconsider neutrality due to Russian aggression

     • 24190 переглядiв

    Strange air alert in Kyiv preceded massive shelling - military expert

     • 38988 переглядiв

    Weather in Ukraine on September 1: no precipitation, up to +32°

     • 32795 переглядiв

    Olympic rings will remain on the Eiffel Tower - Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo

     • 18521 переглядiв

    The Ministry of Defense wants to continue updating data through “Reserve+”

     • 30876 переглядiв

    Russian missiles hit Sumy region: one person killed, four wounded

     • 39169 переглядiв

    Russian strike on Kharkiv: two injured, houses damaged

     • 28477 переглядiв

    The Netherlands hands over 28 Viking amphibious armored personnel carriers to Ukraine

     • 91088 переглядiв