Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Thursday asked Switzerland to allow the export of weapons it has sold to partner countries to Ukraine, saying the move would be vital to defeating the Russian invaders, Reuters reported.
Neutral Switzerland has a long-standing policy of prohibiting any country that buys weapons from it from re-exporting them to parties to the conflict. Last November, he banned sending Swiss ammunition to Russia or Ukraine.
“I know that there is a discussion in Switzerland regarding the export of military equipment for the protection and defense of Ukraine. This would be vital,” Zelenskyy said in a video address to both houses of the Swiss parliament. “We need weapons to restore peace in Ukraine.”
The issue has sparked widespread debate in Switzerland, which has had to balance its tradition of foreign policy neutrality with the concerns of its European neighbors and its domestic arms industry.
- Switzerland refuses to agree to the re-export of weapons to Ukraine
Zelensky, wearing a simple black T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Ukraine”, thanked Switzerland for passing EU sanctions over the invasion, but said more was needed.
“It is very important to show solidarity because these sanctions will help us stop the aggression,” he said. “We need to strengthen sanctions.”
Despite the imposition of EU sanctions and the freezing of Russian assets worth 7.5 billion Swiss francs, Switzerland has rejected requests from Germany, Denmark and Spain to re-export Swiss ammunition, weapons and military equipment to Ukraine.
Zelensky’s speech created tension in the Swiss parliament
In his speech, Zelensky invited Switzerland to host a global peace summit regarding Ukraine. He said he spoke with Swiss President Alain Berse about the initiative in March.
A spokesman for the Federal Department of the Interior said the Swiss president had spoken with Zelensky several times this year, but declined to comment on a possible summit.
Zelensky’s request was preceded by several days of cyber attacks on Swiss government websites, for which a pro-Russian group claimed responsibility.
The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (UDC) also caused tension in parliament, saying the very fact that Zelensky’s message was allowed to air violated the country’s neutrality.
Source: Hot News
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