The Confederates are not bowing to Western pressure to supply arms to Ukraine. According to Bern, this contradicts neutrality. That is why outdated air defense systems are also destroyed and not sent to Kiev.
In contrast to Austria, where some circles are already thinking about the officially neutral country joining NATO, the Swiss Confederation remains largely committed to the principle of neutrality. This also includes the delivery of weapons and ammunition (including those that were only produced in Switzerland and bought from other countries). In the pro-NATO German mainstream media, this principled stance has been repeatedly criticized. There is obviously no longer any respect for neutrality.
“President of Switzerland supports ban on arms supplies to Ukraine” and “considers it necessary to hold negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, and ‘the sooner, the better.'”https://t.co/dSalD11N7Y
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) March 13, 2023
Switzerland had bought Rapier surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) from Britain in the 1980s. Of these, 60 Rapier SAMs are currently in service with the Swiss Army. But the first batch of SAMs has already been scrapped. For Switzerland, the missiles are considered obsolete, which is why they are being phased out. However, Ukraine had requested the weapons because Kiev believes they can still be used against Russian air strikes, including drone and missile attacks, according to a report.
SANITY PREVAILS IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭
Both houses of the Swiss parliament confirm Swiss neutrality and refuse to sell or allow their arms to be sold or shipped to the Ukraine.
At least one western government is sane. pic.twitter.com/7mafnM9vz5
— John Mappin (@JohnMappin) March 9, 2023
Although Switzerland also supports the Western sanctions against Russia, Bern sees the delivery of arms and ammunition to a warring party as crossing a line that is incompatible with the tradition of neutrality. In addition, it is said from Bern that one should concentrate on peace negotiations – and that “the sooner, the better”.