Switzerland is considering ending the ban on re-export weapons to Ukraine – Reuters

Switzerland is close to breaking centuries of tradition as a neutral state and allowing the export of Swiss-made weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

Reuters reported about this.

Swiss politicians are being pushed to this decision by the public discourse and representatives of the defense industry.

Currently, buyers of Swiss arms are legally prevented from re-exporting them to third countries, a restriction that some representing the country’s large weapons industry say is now hurting trade.

Calls from Switzerland’s European neighbors to allow such shipments to Kyiv have become increasingly loud amid the intensification of the Russian invasion, leading two parliamentary security committees to recommend relaxing the rules on the arms trade. For now, however, lawmakers are still divided on the issue.

“We want to be neutral, but we are part of the western world,” said Thierry Burkart, Leader of the center-right FDP party, who has submitted a motion to the Government to allow arms re-exports to countries “with similar to Switzerland democratic values.”

In his opinion, Switzerland should not veto and stop others from helping Ukraine.

“If we do that, we support Russia which is not a neutral position,” Burkart said.

The agency notes that a recently published survey by Sotomo pollsters demonstrated that 55% of respondents in Switzerland favor allowing weapons re-exports to Ukraine.

Burkart shared that he had received positive signals on a law change from other parties in the fragmented legislature. In turn, the Greens oppose the changes. Reuters writes that the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), the lower house’s largest party and traditionally staunch defenders of neutrality, now appears divided.

Last month, the Security Policy Commission of the Swiss National Council adopted a decision that permits the transfer of weapons to Ukraine from other countries.

Switzerland is also considering the option of sending its military equipment to Ukraine’s allies so that they could transfer similar weapons to Kyiv from their own stockpiles.