“Monetization and threat of Putin”; Switzerland’s excuse for canceling the position of neutrality

According to RCO News Agency, recently published materials show that Switzerland, which has been “neutral” since 1515, is now working on “joint defense capability” with the European Union and NATO.

Politico magazine writes in a report: “Since the war in Ukraine, having a neutral and impartial position has become a political circle, both in the country’s internal issues and in the international arena, and the pressure on Switzerland to clarify its position is increasing, and a request to review neutral policies has been called. “

This American media emphasizes: “One of the many factors is how Switzerland’s neutrality has affected arms sales, and the other is how to better defend a country that is surrounded by 2 groups that do not belong to it.” Also, possible developments in the field of politics are another sign of how the Russia-Ukraine war will change the security landscape of Europe; A war that made Sweden and Finland leave their neutrality and join NATO.

Permission to export weapons

Regarding Swiss arms exports, Politico writes: “Swiss arms exports dropped by 27 percent last year to less than 700, both due to strict arms export regulations and Qatar ending the purchase of air defense systems in line with hosting the 2022 World Cup.” million Swiss francs (€746 million) compared to 2022.

Switzerland bans arms sales to countries at war, and this has had a reciprocal effect on relations with other countries willing to send weapons to Ukraine that may contain Swiss components. For example, Switzerland blocked the shipment of weapons and ammunition from several European countries to Ukraine, and it took months of pressure for Switzerland to agree to send Leopard tanks to Germany to replace the tanks sent to Ukraine.

The Swiss Federal Ministry of Defense and Civil Protection wrote in its new report: “The ban on re-exports should be lifted.”

“This report clearly shows that Switzerland is a Western country and therefore supports Western values,” said Jean-Marc Rickly, head of the Geneva Center for Security Policy. However, calls for increased military cooperation with NATO and the European Union are likely to spark a lot of debate within Switzerland.”

Experts do not suggest that Switzerland completely abandon its neutrality and join NATO, but they do call for deeper ties with the military alliance and the European Union in terms of joint training, ballistic missile defense and bilateral and multilateral exercises.

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