From: New Voice of Ukraine 🇺🇦
A Swiss Defense Ministry-appointed security task force has recommended that the government consider revising its neutrality policy to allow deeper military cooperation with NATO and the European Union, according to a report by Politico.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the debate over Swiss neutrality has resurfaced both domestically and internationally. The report highlights growing pressure on Switzerland to clarify its position.
The task force, comprising diplomats, officials, military personnel, and former Munich Security Conference head Wolfgang Ischinger, suggests the report’s recommendations be integrated into Switzerland’s 2025 security strategy.
The report proposes lifting the ban on arms re-exports. Currently, Switzerland prohibits arms sales to countries at war, resulting in a 27% decline in arms exports last year to less than €746 million. The ban has strained Switzerland’s relations with countries that wish to supply weapons to Ukraine containing Swiss components.
While the report advises against fully abandoning neutrality or joining NATO, it recommends strengthening cooperation with the Alliance and the EU, including joint training, ballistic missile defense, and participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises. It also suggests increasing military spending to 1% of GDP by 2030, up from the current 0.76%.
The report is expected to face opposition in the Swiss parliament, particularly from pacifist left-wing parties and nationalist far-right groups. Swiss President Viola Amherd has faced criticism for gradually aligning the country closer to NATO.
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On June 18, Blick reported that ten members of the Swiss National Council’s security policy committee supported a proposal allowing other countries to supply Swiss arms to Ukraine. Bloomberg reported on May 15 that Switzerland seeks to increase arms exports while maintaining the ban on deliveries to Ukraine.
Switzerland currently prohibits arms sales to warring countries unless they are participating in combat under a UN mandate.
Voice of Ukraine 