In Switzerland, lawmakers have developed several possible mechanisms that would allow the re-export of weapons to Ukraine.

However, the Swiss National Council (Lower Chamber) on Wednesday rejected a proposal by the Council of States (the Upper House) to change the rules for re-exporting weapons to countries involved in military conflicts.

The initiative was supported by only 48 members of the Swiss National Council, while 135 opposed it, mostly members of the Left and the Far-Right Swiss People’s Party.

It regards an amendment to the law on the re-export of military equipment, which was supported by the Swiss Council of States in June.

According to it, re-exports were allowed if the country involved in the conflict exercised the right of self-defense, and such re-exports would have a retroactive effect (i.e., would be considered legal even if they were made before the law came into force).

It was also stipulated that the re-export of Swiss weapons from the country that purchased them would be allowed five years after the purchase – but only to those states that “share Switzerland’s values and have a compatible export control regime.”

Another mechanism

At the same time, the Swiss parliament is drafting another bill to amend the law on arms re-export.

It would allow re-export if the UN Security Council or two-thirds of the members of the General Assembly confirmed violations of international law against the state receiving the weapons.

The provision banning the re-export of weapons for five years from the date of purchase remains in place.

The text of the bill is not yet ready, so it is not known when the Swiss parliament will consider it.

Switzerland’s neutrality prohibits the supply of weapons directly to war zones. This rule applies even if another country has bought weapons from Switzerland: the purchasing countries must sign a so-called non-export declaration.

In August, it was reported that the German company Global Logistics GmbH (GLS) requested that 25 Swiss Leopard 1 tanks be transferred to it.