The permanent representative of Switzerland at the UN said that her country would not provide military aid to Kyiv. At the press conference, Pascal Berisville explained this decision in detail and said whether we should expect changes on this issue.
People support
In February 2022, thousands of Swiss gathered in the streets to condemn the acts of aggression towards Ukraine and to demand support for the affected country. Following this, the process of delivering humanitarian assistance was initiated, and a plan for granting asylum to refugees on Swiss territory was established.
Politicians are more careful
The issue of military aid was the most challenging one. Despite Switzerland’s neutral position in conflicts, they condemned the Kremlin’s actions but failed to provide actual assistance. The country’s conflicting opinions on the issue reached their peak in March 2023 when other European nations and the United States actively provided equipment for a counterattack.
A vote regarding the re-export of weapons to a country attacked in violation of international law was held on March 8. At first glance, voting results were in favor of Ukraine: 98 deputies – for, 96 – against. However, upon closer examination, the results were more complex.
The excuses began
It’s important to note that re-export is only permitted if the UN Security Council officially recognizes the attack on Ukraine. However, Russia, a member of the Security Council, has consistently vetoed any decisions that go against its interests, making this an improbable scenario.
During a press conference on May 1, the permanent representative of Switzerland, Berisville, acknowledged the possibility of Ukraine re-exporting military equipment. However, parliamentary changes to Swiss legislation are necessary for this to happen. Although these procedures can be time-consuming, they are crucial for Ukraine to receive essential assistance.
