Switzerland remains tough in the dispute over arms deliveries to Ukraine and Germany. On Tuesday, after a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Swiss President Alain Berset once again referred to his country's neutrality, which prohibits such deliveries. However, they strongly condemn the Russian attack and help Ukraine with humanitarian aid and reconstruction, he added. "Everyone does what they do best," he said. No one can ask Switzerland to give up neutrality. "We can't break our own laws," Berset said.
Chancellor Scholz had previously emphasized in general terms that the turning point is forcing everyone to rethink. Scholz confirmed that he had spoken with Berset about the issue. The federal government has made several inquiries to Switzerland. Firstly, we are talking about the supply of ammunition to Ukraine for the Gepard anti-aircraft tanks supplied by Germany. On the other hand, however, Germany wants to buy unused Swiss Leopard tanks in exchange for Leopard tanks delivered to Ukraine. There is a very lively debate about the question in Switzerland. "We hope that something will happen," Scholz stressed.
At the same time, Scholz praised the fact that Switzerland had joined the Western sanctions against Russia. Berset pointed out that assets of Russian oligarchs worth 7.5 billion Swiss francs had been confiscated. Close cooperation between Western countries is important in this area. His country is doing "everything that is feasible" to implement the sanctions, the Swiss president stressed.