The Swiss parliament rejected a proposal put to a vote to allow European countries to supply Ukraine with weapons and ammunition previously produced in the confederation. The refusal of the National Council, which goes against the expectations of the EU and the opinion of some local politicians, found support in the traditional Swiss understanding of neutrality.
After a two-hour discussion, the Swiss National Council rejected by a majority of votes – 23 against, 18 in favor and 2 abstentions – the proposal of the leader of the Liberal Radical Party, Thierry Burkart. He asked for the lifting of the embargo, which prevents European countries from supplying the Ukrainian army with weapons and ammunition produced in Switzerland and previously purchased by Europeans for their own defense needs. In particular, Germany needs such a permit in order to transfer ammunition to Ukraine for Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns already sent to the battlefield.
Mr. Burkart could refer not only to the fact that the Swiss parliament “unanimously condemned this war and that the solidarity of Switzerland with other Western countries should also be military solidarity.” February Public Opinion Polls Conducted by Sotomo Institute for Sunday Edition The New Zurich Timesshowed that the majority (though not overwhelming) of the Swiss (55%) believe that third countries should be able to supply domestically produced weapons to Ukraine.
“The current situation causes great irritation among our partners. They respect our neutrality and refusal to supply military equipment to Ukraine directly. On the other hand, they do not understand why re-export is being blocked,” said Thierry Burkart.
Meanwhile, Parliament upheld Switzerland’s neutrality, deciding that allowing re-exports would cast doubt on it. Some parliamentarians even shared their suspicions that industrialists, hoping for new large military orders, are behind the re-export proposals.
Switzerland’s clients include 25 countries, including Germany, Denmark and Spain, which have already requested re-export permits, as well as the US, UK, France, Italy and Poland, from which such requests have not yet been received. Replying to Thierry Burkart, who asked “why should these countries still buy Swiss military equipment if they can’t sell it to each other,” Swiss Socialist MP Carlo Sommaruga said he was outraged by the desire to use the suffering of the Ukrainian people to advance weapons instead of to focus on humanitarian and political aid.
The Federal Council, the country’s government, is taking a cautious stance. “Switzerland’s goal is not to actively support any belligerent,” said Guy Parmelin, Minister of Economy and ex-president of Switzerland. “By allowing re-export to Ukraine, you are on one side of the conflict and are breaking the law.”
After Switzerland joined the sanctions against Russia, Russian diplomats said they no longer consider the confederation a neutral country. Their statement was received in Switzerland in different ways. Some said that, if so, Switzerland’s hands are finally untied. Others, such as independent MP Thomas Minder, say guns will not help bring immediate peace, but will only lead to more casualties. Switzerland, according to the legislator, can have a much more responsible role than adding fuel to the fire. The impartiality of a possible mediator, according to Mr. Minder, should not be questioned: “To put an end to the conflict, a third neutral state is needed.”
On Wednesday, the National Council will discuss another proposal – not to lift the embargo on the re-export of weapons, but to limit the validity of the relevant licenses that the country transfers to its partners.
In this regard, the Federal Council reminds that even if Parliament will meet the supporters of the lifting of restrictions in the future, the change in the law will only affect new purchases and cannot be retroactive to allow the supply of previously sold weapons. “Thus, the German request for the transfer of tank ammunition to Ukraine can by no means be granted,” says Guy Parmelin. “The right to neutrality requires that the parties to the conflict be treated on an equal footing.”
The unique position of Switzerland, which saved its people from participation in two of the most terrible world wars, is one of the main achievements of the country. Any, even potential, attempt on him causes a response. One may recall how, during the war in Iraq, one of the founders of the Swatch Group, the owner of Hayek Engineering, Nicholas Hayek, suspended the supply of electronic components for American missiles produced at his enterprise.
On the other hand, on the eve and even during World War II, the country did not hesitate to supply Oerlikon rapid-fire guns to both Germany and the United States and France. In today’s Europe, it is of course important for Switzerland to maintain good relations with its EU neighbors without jeopardizing its fairly significant military exports. On the other hand, it is possible that the neutral status will ultimately bring the country not only political, but also economic bonuses.