Switzerland, unwilling to supply weapons to Zelensky, has been shaken by a pro-Ukraine shift forcing it to drop neutrality in support of the US drive to oppose Russia. The focus is to force the Swiss to end the ban on the export of weapons to allow the legal transfer of weapons, which Bern opposes.
Pro-Ukraine Shift Is Pressuring Switzerland
Those who bought Swiss weapons cannot re-export arms bought from them unless Switzerland permits. Some are not okay that the local large weapons maker cannot maximize income, Al Arabiya.
Calls from Kyiv sympathizers and Swiss proponents with the legislature's two security committees want to adjust according to the wishes of the US-led allies, noted Dawn.
Leader of the center-right FDP party, Thierry Burkart, remarked Bern wants neutrality but is part of the western nations. He gave a motion only to allow export to nations like their country.
The Declaration of Neutrality goes back to 1815 and is included in the treaty of 1907, which states no involvement in any war. It consists of an embargo to sell weapons to Kyiv or Moscow, citing Reuters. But there is an exception in theory that allows applying to Bern to re-export Swiss weapons, but no one has been authorized.
Burkart opposed the veto adamantly that prevented from helping Ukraine, saying it should be dropped or be called a Russia supporter by a Russophobic west led by Washington. Tried to argue that US-led nations supporting the Kyiv government to secure and stabilize Europe but cannot accept a neutral status.
Move To Drop Swiss Neutrality
A poll done by Sotomo with results posted last Sunday has 55 percent of Swiss voters influenced to allow weapons sent to the Ukrainian government. It would be only 25 percent support before the war, and neutral status was taboo to discuss.
The Swiss government has denied Germany and Denmark to allow arms bought from mobile armor and ammo for anti-aircraft tanks but said it would stay its decision till then.
Bern told its critics that it would follow the law and consider all legal options in time, not drop everything because of getting pressured by someone else, started by the Department of Economic Affairs dealing with overseas arms-related trade issues.
Burkart claims that a law change is imminent from the divided parliament. Those in favor are left-leaning Social Democrats and Green Liberals, but the Greens will not allow it. Cracks in the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) as the biggest party in the lower house, who support neutrality divided.
SVP lawmaker David Zuberbueler remarked to stay out of the conflict for the country. Many EU countries that supported the US are now in crisis, and it's something the SVP does not want to happen. But co-SVP member Werner Salzmann of the upper house says the Swiss defense industry cannot be compromised, says change the law. SwissMem director Stefan Brupbacher said it lost its contracts that endanger the industry.
The issue is to sell arms freely, but Bern will be a party to conflicts that will impact Switzerland. To drop neutrality will not be decided, a pro-Ukraine shift that will make Swiss citizens suffer the fate of the greater Europe.
Related Article : Switzerland Cites Neutrality in Conflicts
