published24. April 2022, 04:57
Germany wanted to deliver Swiss ammunition to Ukraine, but received a refusal from the federal government. The neighbor is confused.
The Seco has rejected German requests for the transfer of ammunition from Switzerland.
AFP/Patriarch Stollarz
The reluctance causes irritation in Germany.
AFP/Patriarch Stollarz
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Germany wanted to send Swiss-procured ammunition to Ukraine.
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The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) has rejected such requests.
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This causes irritation in Germany.
Switzerland is drawn into the fierce dispute raging in Germany over arms deliveries to Ukraine. The Germans wanted to send Swiss-made ammunition to the war zone. That’s why they asked the federal government whether that was possible, as the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) told the “Sunday Newspaper” confirms: “Seco has received two requests from Germany to pass on ammunition previously received from Switzerland to Ukraine.”
However, the Seco has forbidden the transfer. “Both inquiries were answered negatively with reference to Swiss neutrality and the mandatory rejection criteria of the war material legislation,” said Seco.
British supply Swiss warheads
The reluctance causes irritation in Germany. The accusation is already being raised that Switzerland is partly responsible for the fact that no German Marder armored personnel carriers can be delivered to the Ukraine. Among other things, there is a lack of the necessary ammunition.
Nevertheless, war material from Switzerland has already landed in the war zone. According to media reports, Great Britain, for example, sent anti-tank weapons with Swiss warheads to Ukraine. The British are benefiting from a loophole in local legislation: no special federal approval is required for the export of individual parts or assemblies of a weapon.
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